EEB

Soil

What is the EU doing?

• What is the EU doing?
• What is the EEB doing?

Despite being the most fundamental natural resource, no EU policy exists on soil. We desperately need such a policy because of soil’s vital role in helping us to reduce the impacts of climate change and adapt to the change that occurs; to ensure food security; support biodiversity; and to deliver ecosystem services such as clean water and clean air.

It was only in 2006 that the EU finally proposed a Soil Thematic Strategy including a Soil Framework Directive.

The proposed Directive does not include any legally binding objectives, nor does it introduce new control measures. The only thing it would do is to set out a common approach among EU countries to identify and address a number of soil problems. It would require governments to define targets and deadlines for themselves.

Despite its lack of ambition, the adoption of the proposal has not yet happened – mostly due to the resistance of a small number of countries and lobby groups.

EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik recently said: “Soil is the invisible biodiversity hero. We rely on healthy soils for some of the most fundamental ecosystem services, and without them life on our planet would grind to a halt. We share our soils, so I am convinced of the need for common legislation in this area. I am therefore calling on Environment ministers to put in place a sound regulatory framework to protect this most precious resource, and ensure we use it wisely."

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