Rooting for healthy Soils in Europe

Brussels, 16 April 2024

PAN Europe and the EEB are co-organising the hybrid event “Rooting for healthy Soils in Europe”. The aim of the event is to bring together policy-makers, scientists, farmers and civil society to highlight the importance of soil health and a strong Soil Monitoring Law for Europe.

Event: “Rooting for healthy Soils in Europe”

Date: 16 April 2024, start at 9.30 am

Location: Residence Palace, Wetstraat 155, 1040 Brussels and Online

Please register via this REGISTRATION LINK (in person or online participation)

An estimated 60 to 70% of EU soils are in bad health. Given that healthy soils are the very basis of healthy ecosystems and provide key ecosystem services, soil degradation represents an urgent challenge. In July 2023, the European Commission published its proposal for a Soil Monitoring Law. This initiative has the potential to make significant steps towards better protection and sustainable use of soils across Europe. With the European Parliament set to vote on the Soil Monitoring Law on 10 April and ongoing discussions in the Council, the timing is great to bring together diverse stakeholders for a dialogue on the issue of healthy soils.

For this reason, PAN Europe and the EEB are co-organising the event “Rooting for healthy Soils in Europe” on 16 April at Residence Palace. During the event, we will discuss the outcome of the vote in the Parliament, as well as the progress and way forward in the Council. We will also dig into some key aspects regarding soil degradation and sustainable soil management practices. Please see below for a more detailed program.

The event is organised in the framework of the horizon Europe project ‘Soils For Europe – SOLO’.

Draft Program

9 am: Opening of the room – Registration – Coffee

Start of event at 9.30 am

Welcome by PAN Europe and the EEB

9.30 – 9.40: Introductory statement by a Representative of the Belgian Presidency (tbc)

9.40 – 9:50: Statement from a Member of the European Parliament (tbc)

9:50 – 10:05: “Unearth pesticides and their risks in EU soils”, Vera Silva, European Sprint project, Wageningen University

10:05 – 10:50: Panel discussion between different actors (MEP, Council representative, EurEau, farmer, scientist)

10:50 – 11:05: Testimonial of a farmer on sustainable practices for soil health and resilience (tbc)

11.05 – 11.15: Closing remarks by PAN Europe and the EEB

11.15: Free discussion with refreshments

Contacts:

Kristine De Schamphelaere (PAN Europe) – kristine@pan-europe.info

Caroline Heinzel (EEB) – caroline.heinzel@eeb.org