Environment Agency launches soil awareness courses

The Environment Agency has launched the first of a number of planned soil awareness courses.

The courses take a similar approach to a driving speed awareness course and are aimed at Farmers and Land Managers where issues associated with soil run-off and water pollution have been identified.

Farmers may also be referred to attend a course where breaches of the soil protection standards are identified under cross compliance, which could also mean a reduction in the basic farm payment.

Depending on the severity of the issue the Environment Agency hopes the courses will encourage farmers to reduce the soil run-off from their land, but if there is no sign of improvement within a given time scale, the Agency says it will “not hesitate to take enforcement action”.