Soil Health in Canada: A Call to Action for Our Future
The Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry recently released a comprehensive study on the state of soil health in Canada, emphasizing the critical role soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. Soil provides essential ecosystem services, including water purification, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and food production. Despite its importance, soil in Canada is under threat due to climate change, urbanization, and ongoing soil degradation.
Key Findings:
- Soil Health is Human Health: Healthy soil is essential for our survival and is as critical as clean air and water. Protecting soil aligns with the “One Health” approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
- Soil Management Improvements: While advancements in soil management and crop genetics have increased yields, they have also masked the detrimental effects of soil loss and degradation.
- Urgency for Action: With increasing climate challenges and shrinking agricultural land, immediate steps are needed to protect and conserve this vital resource.
Recommendations:
- Designate Soil as a National Asset: The Government of Canada should prioritize soil health by recognizing it as a strategic resource and appointing a national soils advocate, similar to Australia’s approach.
- Develop a Federal Soil Strategy: Collaborate with provinces, territories, Indigenous governments, and industry stakeholders to create a cohesive national strategy to protect agricultural and forestry soils.
- Address Regional Needs: Tailor soil health policies to account for diverse climates and soil types across Canada, including addressing permafrost challenges in the North.
- Enhance Data Collection: Establish a unified system to collect, analyze, and share data on soil productivity and health to inform better strategies.
- Promote Soil-Based Incentives: Provide financial incentives such as tax credits, enhanced crop insurance, and support for a viable carbon market to encourage sustainable practices.
- Invest in Education and Research: Fund soil research initiatives, peer-to-peer farmer networks, and educational programs to foster awareness about the vital role of soil in our environment and economy.
- Remediate Contaminated Soils: Implement a national strategy to clean up and restore contaminated soils across the country.
A Collaborative Future
The report highlights the need for collaboration among all levels of government, industry stakeholders, and Indigenous communities to create policies that ensure economic prosperity while protecting soil resources. By investing in soil health today, Canada can safeguard its agricultural and forestry sectors and contribute to a sustainable future for generations to come.
Let’s act now to protect the foundation of life—our soil.
Original Article
https://sencanada.ca/en/info-page/parl-44-1/agfo-critical-ground