Green Deal: Commission launches consultation on possible soil health legislation

Yesterday, the Commission launched an online public consultation on possible EU legislation on soil health.

The EU’s 2030 soil strategy, adopted last year, foresees that the Commission will present a new legislative proposal on soil health, which will provide a comprehensive legal framework for soil protection, ensuring the same level protection applicable to water, marine environment and air in the EU. Sustainable land management and restoration requires the involvement of a wide range of economic and social actors. All interested parties are invited to contribute to the consultation, which is open until 24 October 2022.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Mr. Virginius Sinkevičius, stated in this regard: “The way we use the land is extremely important. It can either endanger or promote the halting of biodiversity loss and climate change. It is also becoming increasingly clear that healthy soils are vital for food and nutrition security inside and outside the EU. Action to protect soil is a key element of the European Green Deal and is at the heart of our European and international agendas. »

Soils are the foundation of our food security, providing 95% of the food we eat, and are vital to life on Earth. They provide many key services and their health is crucial to achieving the key goals of the European Green Deal, such as climate neutrality, biodiversity restoration, zero pollution, healthy and sustainable food systems and environmental resilience. More information is available here.

Athena Papakosta

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