Kazakhstan's Senate has approved the Law "On Soil Protection", which introduces new requirements for the use of agricultural land. The document provides for the creation of a unified soil monitoring system, mandatory measures for the preservation and restoration of fertility, as well as new mechanisms for state control.
WHAT CHANGES FOR LANDOWNERS
The Law introduces mandatory requirements for landowners and land users to preserve, restore and reproduce soil fertility.
A unified system for comprehensive monitoring of soil condition is also being created. This will include soil surveys, agrochemical analysis and the maintenance of an information database on the condition of the land.
Additionally, the Senate adopted amendments to the Land Code and the Law "On State Regulation of the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex" to bring current legislation in line with the new Law.
WHAT DUTIES FARMERS WILL HAVE
According to the Law, landowners are obliged to carry out soil protection measures, comply with legal requirements, carry out reclamation of disturbed lands, and ensure access for specialists to conduct surveys and monitoring.
If activities lead to soil degradation, restoration is carried out at the expense of the persons whose actions or inaction caused such consequences. The Law also allows for the introduction of a special regime for the use of degraded land, with restrictions on certain types of land use.
WHAT NEW STANDARDS THE LAW PROVIDES
The Law provides for the possibility of restricting the cultivation of certain agricultural crops, the use of certain land cultivation technologies, the ploughing of hayfields and pastures, as well as the use of degraded lands. Such decisions may be made based on the results of soil surveys.
The document also obliges persons whose activities may negatively affect the condition of the soil to carry out production monitoring.
Specific requirements concern the fertile soil layer. Its removal is permitted only in cases where it is necessary to prevent its irreversible loss, and the export of the fertile layer outside Kazakhstan is prohibited.
Furthermore, the Law provides for the creation of an open information database on the agrochemical condition of soils. Exceptions are made for information constituting a state secret or other secrets protected by law.
WHAT ISSUES AROSE DURING THE DISCUSSION OF THE LAW
During the discussion of the bill in the Senate, questions were raised by a provision that allows for restrictions on the cultivation of certain agricultural crops based on the results of soil surveys, reports the Atameken Business TV channel.
Representatives of the agricultural community stated that additional responsibilities should be accompanied by state support measures. According to them, farmers need training, access to relevant specialists, and clear mechanisms for applying the new requirements.
Industry representatives also expressed concerns that restrictions on the cultivation of certain crops could affect the economy of farms. In their opinion, if agricultural producers are forced to abandon more profitable crops, this could reduce the profitability of enterprises. Furthermore, discussion participants pointed to potential corruption risks in the application of certain provisions of the Law.
