IOGP input to the call for evidence on ‘soil health – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils’

This document provides IOGP's input to the European Commission's call for evidence on ‘soil health – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils’.

Context

IOGP recognizes the role of soil protection in reducing pollution in Europe. More broadly, IOGP supports a realistic approach to reduction of the environmental footprint of societal activities while caring for European citizens’ well-being and restoring biodiversity.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen the implementation, enforcement, and harmonization of the existing EU legislation among Member States
• In line with the Better Regulation principles, avoid double regulation and additional administration; especially on items that are covered by the existing EU and national legislation
• Ensure a stable and predictable regulatory framework that is necessary for long-term investments
• Ensure engagement with all relevant stakeholders as part of the consultation process
• Employ a risk- and science-based approach for soil protection
• Conduct thorough impact assessments on all the legislative and non-legislative future proposals
• Maintain a level playing field for European industry, considering global competition. There is a risk of replacement for EU produced commodities by imported ones with less stringent rules

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