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Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Directive)

TA-9-2024-0204 · P9_TA(2024)0204 · PE754.698

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Parliament's amended version of the proposed directive on soil monitoring and resilience sets up a framework for monitoring and assessing soil health, managing soils sustainably, and tackling contaminated sites, aiming for healthy soils by 2050. Member states must establish soil districts, designate competent authorities, and set up monitoring frameworks based on soil descriptors and tiers, with assessments of soil ecological status. They must define sustainable soil management practices and regeneration practices for unhealthy soils, and apply land take mitigation principles. For contaminated sites, member states must identify potentially contaminated sites, investigate them, assess risks, and take risk reduction measures, with a public register. The directive requires reporting to the Commission, public access to data, and penalties for violations, with a review after six years.

Key points

  1. The directive aims to achieve healthy soils by 2050 and prevent deterioration, establishing a framework for monitoring, sustainable management, and contaminated sites.
  2. Member states must establish soil districts, with a minimum number corresponding to NUTS 1 units, and designate competent authorities for each.
  3. Member states must set up a monitoring framework based on soil descriptors, sampling points, and remote sensing, with measurements at least every five years.
  4. Soil health is assessed by classifying soils into five ecological statuses from high to critically degraded; healthy soils are those with good or high status.
  5. Member states must submit draft threshold values for soil descriptors by 30 June 2028, and the Commission approves them by 31 December 2029.
  6. Member states must define sustainable soil management practices respecting principles in Annex III, and regeneration practices for unhealthy soils.
  7. Land take must follow principles to avoid or reduce loss of soil ecosystem services, compensate where possible, and prevent or limit land take.
  8. Member states must identify potentially contaminated sites within seven years and investigate them, prioritizing those in drinking water abstraction areas.
  9. Risk reduction measures must be taken to bring risks to acceptable levels, with a preference for prevention and decontamination.
  10. A register of contaminated and potentially contaminated sites must be established within four years and made publicly accessible online.
  11. Member states must report data to the Commission and EEA at least every five years, and ensure public access to soil health data.
  12. Penalties for violations must include fines proportionate to turnover or income, and the Commission must evaluate the directive after six years.

Who is affected

  • Member states and their competent authorities, who must implement monitoring, management, and reporting obligations.
  • Landowners and land managers, who may receive advice, certification, and must comply with sustainable management practices.
  • The public, including citizens and NGOs, who have access to information and justice.
  • The Commission and EEA, who support monitoring, establish a data portal, and approve threshold values.

Figures and deadlines

  • 60 to 70 % of soils in the Union are deteriorated.
  • Up to 1 000 years to produce 1 centimetre of top soil.
  • At least 20 % of national samples to be provided by the Commission.
  • Up to 50 % assistance during first national monitoring round.
  • First soil measurements by three years after entry into force.
  • New soil measurements at least every five years.
  • First soil health assessment by five years after entry into force.
  • Threshold values approved by 31 December 2029.

Legal basis: Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union