Will the Cabinet Secretary explain how the Welsh Government is working with farmers to improve soil health?
The Welsh Government continues to work with farmers through a wide range of activities to conserve and enhance soils.
The Code of Good Agricultural Practice (CoGAP) for the Protection of Water, Soil and Air for Wales provides specific advice and guidance to farmers on good agricultural practice regarding soil management and protection.
Farming Connect offers a range of specialist services and advice including:
- Technical advice published on soil management
- Nutrient Management Planning (NMP) through Farming Connect’s Advisory Service providing farmers with bespoke advice tailored to their individual farms which will benefit the environment and improve farm soils.
- On-farm projects looking into better soil management, such as:
o Precision farming In Anglesey & Aberaeron to drive efficiency and production using soil maps to identifying variations in fields
o Nutrient Management Planning best practice in Wrexham.
The Welsh Government has pioneered integrated environmental monitoring through the Glastir Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (GMEP). This captures structured data across a range of soil indicators through a national survey exercise of farms. This will continue through the new Environment and Rural Affairs Monitoring and Modelling Programme (ERAMMP). Wales’ integrated approach to environmental monitoring is providing leadership across the United Kingdom, is used as an exemplar by the EU and as a case study by the UN.
The Welsh Government Cooperation and Supply Chain Development Scheme is supporting grower and research led initiatives.
The Welsh Government is working with farmers to increase knowledge of soil physical characteristics across Wales and develop our understanding of the capability and suitability of agricultural land for different cropping choices.