Time is growing short to save soil fertility, Gove tells farmers

The use of fertilisers and heavy machinery have increased farm yields in the short term but have drained nutrients from the topsoil, scientists say
The use of fertilisers and heavy machinery have increased farm yields in the short term but have drained nutrients from the topsoil, scientists say
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Britain is only several decades away from the “fundamental eradication of soil fertility”, the environment secretary has warned, in a stark call to action for farmers and environmentalists.

The topsoil layer has been harmed by years of intensive farming, the use of fertilisers and chemicals and heavy machinery, scientists have said. These practices have increased yields in the short term but over time will lead to all the earth’s nutrients being used up.

There has been an increasing realisation of the dangers of soil infertility, leading to Michael Gove speaking out yesterday. He told the parliamentary launch of the Sustainable Soils Alliance, Mr Gove said: “We have encouraged a type of farming which has damaged the earth. Countries can withstand coups d’état, wars and conflict,