Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection is a regional policy with a cross-sectoral approach. This policy lays down strategies for protection and sustainable use of soil through preservation of the ecological functions of soil, prevention of soil degradation, and restoration of degraded soil. Soil use and management patterns will be improved to prevent soil degradation due to inadequate agricultural and forestry practices, industrial activities, tourism, urban and industrial sprawl and construction works. Soil protection will be strengthened to ensure sustainability and long-term competitiveness in Europe. EU measures and controls will be strengthened to reduce or eliminate soil contamination which poses a risk to human or animal health. To this end, measures will be strengthened to prevent the uptake of contaminants in the soil by food and feed crops in order to ensure the safety of feed and food. An appropriate and coherent framework will be developed to improve knowledge and management of soil. Therefore, EU legal framework will be developed to identify risk areas on the basis of common elements to be taken into account, set risk reduction targets for those areas and establish programmes of measures to achieve them. Research studies will be enhanced to address the processes underlying soil functions, spatial and temporal changes in soil processes, ecological, economic and social drivers of soil threats, factors influencing soil eco-services, and operational procedures and technologies for soil protection and restoration. Public awareness will be raised by improving knowledge and exchange information and best practices. Climate change mitigation will be improved through carbon sequestration in agricultural soils by some land management practices. Measures will be taken against soil degradation to prevent erosion, decline in organic matter, desertification, local and diffuse contamination, sealing, compaction, decline in biodiversity, salinisation, floods and landslides.
2006-09-22