The Scottish Soil Framework

The Scottish Soil Framework was launched in May 2009 by Roseanna Cunningham Minister for Environment.

"The objective of the Framework is to instigate a process by which key stakeholders will work together to achieve better soil protection. The multi-functionality of soil requires partnership and coordination with key delivery partners. To bring about joint working, the Scottish Government will facilitate liaison amongst relevant organisations.

Scotland's soils are one of the Nation's greatest natural assets. They are valuable, but vulnerable. It is important that we find effective ways to use them sustainably. The Scottish Soil Framework will be an important step towards achieving the National Outcome on Natural Resource Protection and Enhancement."

The Scottish Soil Framework was developed with advice from a wide range of stakeholders. It is aimed at Scottish Government policy leads, delivery partners, environmental and business NGOs, research organisations and other key stakeholders with an interest in soils. It describes key pressures on soils, particularly climate change, relevant policies to combat those threats, and identifies the future focus for soil protection, key soil outcomes, and actions across a range of sectors.

Scottish Natural Heritage is a member of the Soil Focus Group's ( SFG) which was set up to bring together the key delivery partners and stakeholders in the Scottish Soil Framework, and to advise the Scottish Government on the Framework's implementation. The Group was established as an informal forum with members invited onto the Group by the Scottish Government.

One of the action point of the 2009 Scottish Soil Framework has been to publish in March 2011 the State of Scotland's Soil report. This Natural Scotland publication provides a national assessment of the extent and state Scotland's soils resources (what is there), the description of the functions soils perform (what is it doing for us) and how soils are changing as a result of both human and natural pressures or threats (cause and consequence of threats for soil and wider environment). The report was prepared in collaboration with a wide range of Scottish stakeholders and government agencies and is hosted on the SEPA web site.