Background

In November 2021, the European Commission presented the Soil Strategy for 2030 with the objective to achieve healthy soils in Europe by 2050. In this strategy, the Commission committed to a legislative proposal, the Soil Health Law, to be published on 5 July 2023.

60 to 70 percent of European soils are currently in bad health. The Soil Health Law is a unique opportunity to reverse this trend and achieve protection, restoration and sustainable use of European soils. Soils connect the dots between many important objectives of the Green Deal and are essential to combat the twin climate and biodiversity crises, to reduce pollution and to achieve sustainable food systems.

This event will be a great opportunity to bring together different stakeholders to share and discuss first and fresh impressions of the Soil health Law legislative proposal. The event will be co-hosted by Ljudmila Novak (EPP), Maria Arena (S&D), Martin Hojsík (Renew) and supported by the EEB.

Agenda

• Opening remarks by MEP Ljudmila Novak (EPP)

• Presentation of the Soil Health Law legislative proposal, Ion Codescu, Head of Land Use and Management Unit, DG ENV

• Panel discussions, introduced by MEP Maria Arena (S&D)

o Permanent Representation of Belgium to the EU (tbc)

o European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) - Marion Picot, Secretary General

o Wageningen University - Carmen Vazquez, Soil Biology Unit

o ClientEarth - Lara Fornabaio, Clean Air, Water and Soil Lead

o Nestlé – Bart Vandewaetere, VP Corporate Communications and ESG engagement

• Closing statement by MEP Martin Hojsík (Renew)

Registration for participants who need visitor access to the Parliament is now closed. If you have a Parliament badge, you can still register until 5 July.

No soil, no life: A Soil Health Law for our future