EU opens public consultation on new soils strategy

The EU’s new soils strategy is due to be rolled out in the second half of 2021 and is a key part of its overall ‘Green Deal’ initiative.

Lorcan Allen

10 February 2021

EU opens public consultation on new soils strategy

The EU’s new soils strategy is to be rolled out in 2021. \ Donal O'Leary

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the development of a new soils strategy for the EU.

The Commission says it is seeking input from stakeholders across Europe on the challenges and opportunities regarding land and soil ecosystems in Europe, which provide food, energy and raw materials, as well as sequester carbon, purify water and regulate nutrients.

The EU’s new soils strategy is to be rolled out in 2021 and is a key part of the so-called European Green Deal and the EU’s biodiversity strategy, published in 2020.

The European Commission said the aim of the new soils strategy will be to address soil degradation, improve soil fertility and health, increase soil organic matter and reduce soil erosion across Europe.

Those wishing to contribute to the public consultation for the strategy can do so via the European Commission website, or by emailing ENV-SOIL@ec.europa.eu.

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