Government and Agency Response to Soil Erosion Risk in Europe

Soil conservation in Europe has not generally received sufficient attention, until recently. However, a picture has gradually emerged, largely developed by individual research teamsfrom various academic institutions. In Northern Europe, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium) has made a particular contribution. Erosion surveys were often conducted by Quaternary geologists and geomorphologists, who increasingly viewed evidence of agriculturally induced erosion in their landscapes (Fullen, 2000, 2003).Faced with evidence of increased frequency and severity of soil erosion, a considered approach to soil conservation is essential. This must take into account both the common attributes and diversity of European agronomic, environmental and social conditions. The soil conservation policies of 10 European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the UK) are reviewed. These countries were selected as representative of European regions (i.e. north, east, west and Mediterranean Europe, plus Scandinavia). The soil conservation policies are compared with several Australian and US strategies and several policy instruments recommended as appropriate approaches to soil conservation throughout Europe