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<p>The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) published a concept model for a
soil health indicator in June 2023 (please see attached) and we intend to develop
a more comprehensive model by 2025. A progress report on the development of the indicator
will be published by June 2024.</p><p> </p><p>Improving soil health and monitoring
changes over time is a priority for government. The E7 indicator for soil health in
England will use comprehensive data on soil characteristics (physical, chemical, and
biological) and land use to show how different soils are contributing to different
ecosystem services as a measure of soil health. Towards the end of financial year
2022/2023, we began national soil monitoring under the Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment
(NCEA) programme. The data will inform ambitious, proactive, and sustainable policy
decisions to support the government's goal to improve the state of the environment
within a generation.</p>
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