The Soil CRC was proud to be a Lead Supporter of the Parliamentary Friends of Soil (PFOS) World Soil Day networking breakfast, held at Parliament House in Canberra on 25 November. Hosted by the PFOS co-Chairs, the Hon Michael McCormack MP and Ms Meryl Swanson MP, the non-partisan event brought together soil advocates and supporters to celebrate soil, reflect on its significance and promote the importance of sustainable soil management.
“It is always a pleasure to join farmers, scientists and industry leaders who work every day to protect and improve one of our most valuable natural assets, our soil,” said the Hon Michael McCormack, Member for Riverina.
“Healthy soils mean healthy communities, stronger regions and a more sustainable future for Australia,” he said.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and PFOS member, The Hon Julie Collins MP, delivered the keynote address, focussing on the importance of healthy soil in agriculture and the work being done to support innovative soil management.
Special guest, A/Prof Suzie Reichman from the University of Melbourne, spoke to the theme of this year’s event, Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities, highlighting research underway in urban soils and giving a special mention to the humble yet important tardigrade.
“From the fascinating world of tardigrades (aka moss piglets) to the challenges of vegetable garden soil pollution, we explored how soil and its tiny inhabitants provide essential ecosystem services in our cities,” A/Prof Reichman said.
We also heard from Soil Science Australia Federal President Dr Darren Kidd, Soils for Life Special Advisor James Diack, and our own CEO, Dr Michael Crawford.
Dr Crawford highlighted that despite the Soil CRC coming to an end in June 2027, it was critical that we continue to invest in soil research.
“Recognising that the Australian Government is developing a National Food Security Strategy, that 95% of the food we eat has its genesis in the soil, that soils are critical to our climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, it is essential that, as a nation, we commit to future investment in soil R&D,” said Dr Crawford.
Other guests included Soil CRC Patron and former National Soils Advocate, the Hon Penny Wensley AC, and the President of the National Farmers’ Federation, Mr Hamish McIntyre.
This networking event also formally acknowledged the re-establishment of the PFOS in the 48th Parliament.
“Re-establishing the Parliamentary Friends of Soil underscores our commitment to evidence-based, sustainable soil management, and strengthens the dialogue between parliamentarians and the scientists, farmers and industry leaders whose work underpins Australia’s long-term prosperity,” said Ms Meryl Swanson, Member for Paterson.
The Parliamentary Friends of Soil was initially established in 2020 under the 46th Parliament and had 10 members. There are currently 24 parliamentarians in the group and membership is expected to increase over the term of parliament.
Thank you to Soil Science Australia for organising this important event and to all the event supporters who made it possible.
World Soil Day is an international observance day of the United Nations, held annually on 5 December, to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and its sustainable management, and to advocate for its conservation.
The purpose of World Soil Day is to raise awareness of sustainable soil management, advocate for policies that protect and restore soil health, and celebrate the vital role soil plays in human survival and wellbeing.