Senate bill aims to create a national soil health strategy

The Soil Conservation Council of Canada (SCCC) is applauding the introduction of Bill S-230, which, if passed, would see the Federal Agriculture Minister work with other relevant ministers, to put together a national soil health strategy.

The SCCC wants to see the bill passed, and for Ottawa to act on its recommendations, to prioritize soil health across the country.

The bill was introduced by Ontario Senator Rob Black and is at second reading in the Senate as of June 12. Susie Miller, the interim Executive Director of the SCCC, says the bill is the culmination of work done by Black and his colleagues several years ago.

"This legislation would commit government to undertaking the major activities that were identified or the major recommendations that were identified in that report. So it is an implementation of all of the good work that they previously did and it brings attention to the importance of soil at a national economic level that is not really evident." Miller said.

Even though farmers and ag producers understand the importance of soil health, Miller says many people don't realize how soil health is affected by other factors, such has urban expansion and weather changes.