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Rising microplastics in soil a threat to UK food security, MPs and campaigners say

The Guardian World Monday 31 August 2026, 23:01 UTC By Damien Gayle Environment correspondent 1 min read
Key Points

Report calls for legally binding targets to cut microplastic pollution as soil ‘is a complex living ecosystem’The accumulation of microplastics in soil presents an emerging threat to the UK’s food security, according to scientists, MPs and campaigners who have called for legally binding targets to cut microplastic pollution. UK agricultural soils have been identified as among the most contaminated by microplastics in Europe, often as a result of repeated applications of sludge from water...

Report calls for legally binding targets to cut microplastic pollution as soil ‘is a complex living ecosystem’

The accumulation of microplastics in soil presents an emerging threat to the UK’s food security, according to scientists, MPs and campaigners who have called for legally binding targets to cut microplastic pollution.

UK agricultural soils have been identified as among the most contaminated by microplastics in Europe, often as a result of repeated applications of sludge from water treatment works as fertiliser, according to a report published by the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on microplastics.

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Originally published by The Guardian World Read original →

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