European Society for Soil Conservation
ESSC
The European Society for Soil Conservation is an interdisciplinary, non-political association with members from over 30 countries.
ID: 410418841749-85
Lobbying Activity
Response to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils
15 Mar 2022
Europe is preparing a new future with ambitious challenges and goals identified in the EU Green Deal, the 2030 Horizon, EU Biodiversity and Farm to Fork Strategies… and, at global level, of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This new future cannot be built without solid foundations. The foundations for a better and common future should, naturally, secure its roots into the soil. Soil protection should be appraised as an investment. A healthy and fertile land ensures a healthy society and economy.
ESSC is willing to cooperate with EU and intergovernmental bodies, with the aim of constructing relevant policy for healthy soils, evaluating environmental- economic impacts, for highlighting critical research, and creating frameworks, goals, and targets to be met by EU member’s countries and stakeholders. By providing people with incentives to sustainable alternatives, and disincentives to dangerous practices to the land we can significantly improve healthy conditions of the soil. Carefully considering the impacts of Eu policies and international trade deals on agriculture and environment.
All EU people have a role to play in creating an enabling and fertile land for the future. All sectors of society, particularly young people, should be educated on the behaviors that lead to enhance the resilience, stability, productivity and agro-ecosystem services of European lands. Few goals are better.
An important issue related to soil health is the preservation of the soil cultural and natural heritage. Although the value of soil heritage has been highlighted in the new EU Soil Strategy, no actions have been foreseen neither for the mid (2030) nor for the long term (2050). The ESSC strongly supports the inclusions of actions to preserve the European natural and cultural soil heritage in the implementation of the EU Soil Strategy.
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