In the heart of our subsistence and the vibrant ecosystem that supports our communities, it is found A hero often ignored: soil health. It is not only the basis of agriculture; It is the key to a healthier and more resilient future.
More and more farmers and advisors support practices that prioritize soil quality and healthwhich in turn can improve crop yield, increase long -term resilience and reduce input costs.
Evaluating the effectiveness of these practices in the soil can help today’s farmers to make data based on data, while They ensure an abundant supply of food and a healthy planet for future generations.
Legislative review
The European Union today agreed Legislative review to restore soil health throughout its territory from here to 2050according to the informal agreement reached Thursday by the European Parliament and the EU Council, which plans to strengthen soil surveillance with the aim of improving support for farmers.
«Provide better information and more effective help, while avoiding administrative loads and new obligationsare the main characteristics of this new legislation on soil surveillance, ”said the speaker of the text in the Eurocamara, the Slovak Liberal Martin Hojsík.
The agreement, which will still have to be officially confirmed by the Council and by the European Parliamentpart of a proposal of the European Commission that is part of the EU zero pollution strategy, where it is estimated that between 60 and 70 % of the soils are contaminated, the Eurocamara recalled.
The Land Surveillance Law will harmonize monitoring measures in the single marketso that all EU countries use a common methodology and criteria in relation to the physical, chemical or biological state of the soil.
Los Degraded soils are one of the main causes of climate and biodiversity crisesand reduce the supply of essential ecosystem services, which costs the EU at least 50,000 million euros a year, according to the European Commission, which will support the states by reinforcing its current sampling program, Lucas Soils, which will offer customary and technical support, added the European Parliament.
The regulations provide that national governments set «Sustainable objectives not binding for each criterion«, To take into account the different levels of soil degradation and local conditions.
«To protect farmers and silvicular, the directive adopted does not impose new obligations on owners or land managers. Instead, it forces member states to help them Improve soil quality and resiliencethat is, its ability to continue playing its crucial role in the ecosystem, ”added the Eurocamara.
These measures may include advice, training, promotion of research, innovation and awareness of the benefits of soil resilience and it is established that Member States evaluate «periodically the financial needs of farmers and silvicular growers to achieve these purposes«.
Polluted sites
Eighteen months after the entry into force of the law, a «indicative list of emerging substances that could represent a significant risk for soil healthhuman health or the environment, and on which data is needed »and that will include PFAS (chemical substances known as” eternal pollutants “) and pesticides.
Later, ten years after the application of the regulations, the new law will require that EU countries prepare a public list of sites «potentially contaminated and act to remedy any unacceptable risk for human health and the environment«. EFE Green