This week, the canton of Vaud adopted an action plan to protect agricultural soils sustainably and ensure their long-term functionality. A loan of 6 million francs has been earmarked for implementation, of which 1.3 million will be for agricultural measures.
The quality of agricultural soils should be sustainably maintained and improved, according to the action plan of the Canton of Vaud.
Johannes Siebigteroth/Uni Bonn
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Soil is a limited and sensitive resource, the Vaud State Council reminds us in a press release. In order to ensure the long-term quality of the soil, the canton of Vaud has therefore declared soil protection a priority measure in the Vaud climate plan.
The canton has now developed an action plan to improve the quality of the soil and to ensure and sustainably secure its resilience to climatic changes.
Eight strategic goals
The action plan sets out eight key strategic objectives for 2050. One of the eight strategic objectives is to maintain and improve the quality of agricultural soils. The first implementation phase will take place between 2025 and 2030 and is based on around 80 concrete measures. The Vaud Action Plan is in line with the “Swiss Soil Strategy”.
The primary objective is to limit land consumption by 2050. Other priorities include the rehabilitation of degraded soils, the recovery of earth material removed from construction sites and the improvement of the quality of agricultural and forestry soils by preventing their compaction and erosion.
Network of agricultural pilot farms
In order to counteract the decline in organic matter in the cultivation areas, the action plan provides in particular for Strengthening the Grange-Verney agricultural research centre and the creation of a network of pilot farms to test and disseminate the necessary adjustments to agricultural practices. As part of this action plan, comprehensive soil mapping will be carried out.
To implement this plan, an investment credit totalling CHF 6 million will be requested from the Grand Council, divided into two projects: CHF 4.7 million for environmental measures and CHF 1.3 million for agricultural measures.
-> Here you will find a summary of the action plan «Vaud Soils 2025-2030» (in French only).
