MPs study effects of pesticides and fertiliser on agricultural soil
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is to continue its inquiry into soil health by looking into the effects of pesticides and fertilisers.
Meeting details
In this session, the focus will be on agricultural inputs, principally plant protection products (commonly referred to as pesticides) and fertilisers. This follows on from the last oral evidence in this inquiry when the Committee discussed the role of the agricultural sector and the barriers and potential incentives to improving soil health.
The UK government’s 2021 Food Security Report identified soil health as a risk area. Artificial fertilisers and pesticides are associated with many soil health issues. As soil health has declined over the years, some farmers have compensated by using more artificial products to maintain crop yields, creating a vicious circle of further degradation.