‘Land degradation’ is a general term that covers many forms of soil deterioration that results in poorer quality, less healthy soils. Its most important form is erosion by water (runoff) which is a global problem with well known ‘hotspots’ such as the Loess plateau in China, Ethiopia and Madagascar. The causes are usually a combination of government economic policy, unwise farming practices, vulnerable soils, sloping sites and rainfall. In Europe, predicted wetter winters and increase in frequency of intense rainfall in summer, increase the threat of erosion. Erosion does not generally impact our ability to grow food crops, but the off-site impacts are very costly: reservoir sedimentation, muddy flooding of properties, pollution of freshwater systems. Soil conservation measures are often linked to flood protection, but quite different approaches may be needed. Soil protection is poorly reflected in global legislation e.g. The Sustainability Goals, and off-site impacts are frequently ignored.