Legislation and policy

Although there is no one-size-fits-all soil protection policy for Scotland, there is a range of legislation and policies that protects some aspects of soil and influences how our soils are managed. Key legislation, policy and guidance relating to soils in Scotland includes:

Scottish Legislation: Acts

• Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act 2024
• Climate Change (Emissions Reduction Targets) (Scotland) Act 2019
• Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act (2018)
• Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act (2011)
• Climate Change (Scotland) Act (2009)
• Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act (2009)
• Planning etc. (Scotland) Act (2006)
• Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act (2005)
• Nature Conservation Scotland (Act) (2004)
• Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act (2003)

Scottish Legislation: Regulations

• The Water Environment (Miscellaneous) (Scotland) Regulations (2017)
• The Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Regulations (2012)
• Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations (2011)
• The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations (2011)
• Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations (2008)
• Radioactive Contaminated Land (Scotland) (Amendments) Regulations (2007)
• The Contaminated Land (Scotland) Regulations (2005) & Statutory Guidance SE/2006/44
• Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations (1994)
• Sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (1989 and later amendments)

UK Legislation: Acts

• Environmental Protection Act – Part IIA: Contaminated Land (1990)

Scottish policy / guidance

• Agricultural Reform Route Map (2024)
• National Planning Framework 4 (2023)
• Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill - policy memorandum (2023)
• Sustainable and Regenerative Farming - next steps: statement (2022)
• Final-draft Biodiversity Strategy to 2045 (2022)
• The Muirburn Code (2021)
• Land use - getting the best from our land: strategy 2021 to 2026 (2021)
• River Basin Management Plans (2021)
• Flood Risk Management Strategies (2021)
• Securing a green recovery on a path to net zero: climate change plan 2018–2032 - update (2020)
• The Environment Strategy for Scotland: vision and outcomes (2020)
• Climate Ready Scotland: climate change adaptation programme 2019-2024
• Scotland's Forestry Strategy 2019-2029 (2019)
• Valuing Your Soils (2016)
• National Peatland Plan (2015)
• Natural Flood Management Handbook (2015)
• Guidance on suitable organic material applications for land restoration and improvement (2015)
• Strategic Environmental Assessment Guidance (2013)
• Planning Advice Note 33 (Development of Contaminated land) (2000)
• Scottish Soil Framework (2009)

UK policy / guidance

• UK Forestry Standard (2023)
• UK Woodland Carbon Code (2022)

EU policy / guidance

• The common agricultural policy: 2023-27
• EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
• EU Soil Strategy for 2030