Heavy rains could wash away a quarter of farm soil by 2050

Severe storms will become more intense, more topsoils will be washed away due to higher levels of runoff.

Healthy soils produce our food and raw materials, clean our drinking water, reduce flood risks and store huge amounts of carbon. Pic: iStock

Intense rainfall could wash away 13 to 23% of EU and UK farm soils by 2050, the European Commission's science and knowledge service has warned.

Erosion could increase significantly in Ireland, most markedly in Connacht and Donegal.