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Soil: Flood Control

Asked by Cameron ThomasIndependentDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 17 March 2025UIN 36569

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with farmers on ensuring that agricultural soil health adheres to recommended guidelines to mitigate flooding.

Answered by Daniel Zeichner

Working with farmers and landowners is an important part of the Environment Agency’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategy Roadmap up to 2026. A priority is to support farmers and land managers adapt their land management practices to be more resilient to the changing climate. The National Farmers Union and the Country Land and Business Association are both represented on the Flood Resilience Taskforce.

The Rural Flood Resilience Partnership unites six organisations including the Environment Agency, to support agricultural businesses and rural communities. The Partnership and its workplan was launched on the 23 September 2024. This details shared actions to look at how farming practices can enhance flood resilience in rural areas, alongside sustainable food production.

In addition, the Government’s ongoing investment in the environment will also support natural flood management measures – including measures that support soil health.

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