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Parliamentary Launch

On 23 October 2017 the Sustainable Soils Alliance held its official launch with a Parliamentary Reception at the Terrace Pavilion, House of Commons.

The launch was hosted by Rebecca Pow MP, who neatly encapsulated the event as follows: “A remarkable two hundred people, from scientists to NGOs, farmers, environmental groups and academics were brought together through the recognition that our soils have for too long been neglected and the determination that through a joint approach we can push for a positive change in the way our soils are managed so that the soil crisis might be reversed”. 

Then Secretary of State Michael Gove not only attended the reception but stated words to the effect that soil will now start to get the attention it deserves from this Government. He promised to work with the SSA to ensure this happens.

The report above contains the SSA's eight-point Call to Action, an overview of the main priority areas for reversing the crisis in our soils and restoring them to health within one generation. Successfully pursuing these actions will require the ‘joint approach’ Rebecca Pow referred to above. We are extremely grateful to those of you that expressed the willingness to collaborate with us in the task ahead by offering us your time, finances and expertise.

Parliamentary Launch Highlights Video

Individual presentation videos at the SSA Parliamentary Launch

The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Rebecca Pow MP, PPS to Defra, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017

Neville Fay, co-founder of the Sustainable Soils Alliance, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch of the Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Sir Tim Smit, co-founder of the Eden Project, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

John Sauven, CEO of Greenpeace, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Professor Chris Collins, Coordinator of the Soil Security Programme gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Helen Browning OBE, CEO of The Soil Association, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Patrick Holden, CEO of the Sustainable Food Trust, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Baroness Young, Chair of the Woodland Trust, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Craig Sams, founder of Green and Blacks and executive chair of Carbon Gold, speaking at the Parliamentary launch of the Sustainable Soils Alliance launch on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Keith Norman, Technical Director at Velcourt, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Dr Anna Krzywoszynska, University of Sheffield, gave this address to the Parliamentary launch event of the Sustainable Soils Alliance on Monday 23rd October 2017.

Wil Armitage, from Keythorpe Lakes Farm, speaking at the Parliamentary launch of the Sustainable Soils Alliance launch on Monday 23rd October 2017.

As a result of erosion over the past 40 years, 30 percent of the world’s arable land has become unproductive.
David Pimentel