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| Overview - Soil Management Initiative
(SMI) |
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| The UK Soil Management Initiative (SMI) is an
independent organisation created to promote the adoption by UK farmers and
advisers of systems designed to protect and enhance soil quality. Agronomic
and economic benefits may then be accrued whilst also improving the environment
through reduced soil erosion and water pollution. SMI will achieve this
through information transfer and advice. |
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SMI was set up as a non-profit making limited company in
January 1999, . It draws on the experience and research of its members to
provide solutions to pressing problems caused by poor soil management. It
is funded by the EU LIFE fund as well as member organisations. SMI is part
of the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) which is made
up of individuals from the 7 National associations working across Europe
to implement sustainable soil management. ECAF is there to co-ordinate efforts
and lobby European Government for change and support. |
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| Sustainable soil management is critical to
maximise cost-efficient arable production |
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| Current practice means many fields are suffering
soil degradation. This is seen as increased difficulty in working soils
as they lose aggregate structure, become cloddier, with increased compaction
and reduced water infiltration. All of these impact on crop production and
yields, reducing profit potential. |
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| Sustainable soil management is vital to protect
our environment from pollution. |
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| Currently 2.3m tonnes of soil is eroded annually
(Soil Survey ’99) much of this ending up in our rivers. This soil,
along with pesticides and nutrients cause pollution and are ruining fisheries.
Adopting appropriate soil management practices can reduce these effects
and also encourage wildlife in our crops. Air quality benefits through lower
energy consumption and the locking up of carbon dioxide as carbon in the
soil. |
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| Contact SMI by calling: Vic Jordan (01244-881815
or 07970-407185), Paddy Johnson (07906-353478 or 01529-421437) or
Colin Stride (07739-099391). Or email us at smi@smi.org.uk
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