The Sixth Environmental Action Programme (6 th EAP) recognised that soil is a finite resource under environmental pressure and advocated a sustainable use of soil. The 6th EAP requires a thematic strategy for soil protection as one of seven thematic strategies. The Commission published its communication Towards a Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection in 2002 .
The EEB welcomes the European Commission's open and transparent approach in developing a soil protection policy with the input from expert working groups, which started their work in spring 2003, and a stakeholder Advisory Forum.
The working groups presented their final reports in May 2004 on which the EEB gave its comments.
In November 2003, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission communication of 2002, calling on the European Commission to define qualitative and quantitative objectives geared towards reversing 'alarming trends' in erosion, compaction, sealing, removal and contamination of soil. The Parliament also wants the Commission to produce guidelines to prevent soil pollution, targets for reducing it and timetables for curbing the accumulation of dangerous substances in the soil which pose an environmental and health hazard.
The European Commission is now expected to come forward in November 2005 with a policy package containing a Soil Framework Directive, a Communication on soil biodiversity and research as well as an extended Impact Assessment. Whether this proposal will give soil protection the same level of protection at EU level as other natural resources like water and air (as once announced by Commissioner Wallström) will also depend on political support from the EU Member States.
There are many different pressures on, or threats to, European soils, and it will obviously not be easy to deal with all of them at once. Nevertheless, strategic targets and timetables for preparing EU legislation are absolutely necessary in order to show political leadership and environmental ambition. The legislative proposal in itself however should also give sufficient weight to quantitive and measurable targets and not mere processes.
Unfortunately, exactly these crucial elements still seem to be missing in the outline of a draft proposal, presented by the Commission in June 2005. The draft proposal describes general objectives but fails to translate these into clear targets.
Although there is clearly a need for more information and knowledge, it should also be pointed out that there is already sufficient information and knowledge available on specific soil issues, e.g. erosion, to set strategic targets and make them obligatory under an EU Soil Framework Directive. Additionally, and as mentioned in the Commission's draft communication, in the light of the overwhelming threats to soils, action has to be taken, even in the absence of perfect data
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