The EU is taking major action to protect one of our most vital natural resources—soil.
The new EU Soil Monitoring Law sets out a clear path to restore and safeguard soil health across Europe by 2050.
Table of Contents
Current State of EU Soil
More than 60% of soils in the EU are currently unhealthy, and things are only getting worse. Studies show that soil is breaking down due to bad land use, pollution, and overuse. On top of that, climate change and extreme weather are making the situation harder to manage.
Poor soil health affects us all. It reduces our ability to grow food, harms nature, and costs the EU at least €50 billion annually. A billion tonnes of soil are lost to erosion each year, leading to a €1.25 billion drop in crop productivity. That’s why the EU Soil Monitoring Law is being introduced to improve soil health across the region by 2050.
What Causes Soil Damage
There are several major threats to soil health in Europe. These include:
- Erosion – when soil is washed or blown away
- Floods and landslides – following storms or extreme weather
- Loss of nutrients and organic matter – which makes it harder for crops to grow
- Salinisation – too much salt in the soil
- Pollution and toxic waste – from farms, factories, urban waste, etc.
- Compaction – when heavy machinery squashes the soil
- Sealing – when land is covered by buildings or roads
- Loss of soil biodiversity – the helpful organisms in soil die off
These problems reduce the soil’s ability to provide food, store carbon, and support ecosystems. They also increase the risk of natural disasters and reduce food security.
The Importance of Monitoring
Soil monitoring is a key way to improve soil health. It involves testing the soil to examine its:
- Fertility
- pH
- Nutrient content
- Organic matter
- Ability to support plant growth
When we understand the condition of the soil, we can make informed decisions to improve it. Farmers and landowners can use this data to decide how much water and fertiliser to use, if lime is necessary, how to boost plant yields, how to prevent erosion or drought damage, and more.
Monitoring also helps researchers track big-picture trends like how climate change affects soil. Over time, it supports disaster planning and sustainable farming.
The New EU Soil Monitoring Law
Based on all this, the EU is introducing its first law dedicated to soil: The Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive. The proposal was adopted in July 2023, with the European Parliament and the Council reaching a provisional agreement to support it in April 2025.
Once formally approved, the EU Soil Monitoring Law will come into effect 20 days after publication. Member States are then given 3 years to implement it.
The EU Soil Monitoring Law will:
- Create a clear system to monitor all soils across the EU
- Require countries to identify and fix contaminated areas
- Set up rules for sustainable soil management
- Ask countries to define which land practices are good and which ones cause damage
- Help keep new buildings or roads from harming soil too much
Support for Soil Managers
The EU Soil Monitoring Law is designed to be flexible so each country can adjust it to fit their local soil types and needs. One of the best things about the new law is how much it supports those who manage the land -like farmers, foresters, and landowners. The law focuses on helping governments build systems to monitor soil health.
Soil managers will benefit by:
- Gaining better information about their land
- Getting advice on how to improve soil health
- Receiving possible payments for eco-friendly practices
- Increasing the value of their land and crops
In a quote from EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, she explained:
“The law will especially help farmers and soil managers by giving them support and better knowledge without placing burdens on them. It’s a major step for food security, climate protection, and economic health in our regions.”
How Southern Scientific Can Help
Healthy soil means safer food, cleaner water, and a stronger fight against climate change. The new EU Soil Monitoring Law is a smart way to protect one of our most valuable natural resources.
As this law moves forward, Southern Scientific is here to support farmers, landowners, and local governments with reliable soil testing and analysis. With the largest Soil and Agricultural materials testing lab in Ireland, we offer a comprehensive range of tests for soils. By working together and using accurate data, we can help improve soil health across Ireland.
