Background
The overall objective of the proposed Soil Framework Directive is the protection and sustainable use of soil, based on preventing further soil degradation and preserving its functions, and restoring degraded soils. The proposal leaves devising a strategy and detailed policy to Member States however, many of the issues are of direct concern to EEF members.
EEF's issues
EEF is particularly concerned about proposals to limit soil sealing and measures to prevent and remediate soil contamination, in particular with regards to how these relate to existing environmental legislation and how they align with subsidiarity, risk and proportionality principles.
The consultation is designed to assist government in developing a robust negotiating position on the proposed EU Soil Framework Directive. The consultation paper seeks views on:
- the need for new EU legislation on soil protection,
- the scope of the proposed Directive,
- the costs and benefits associated with it, and
- the detail of the proposed provisions
The proposed Directive is currently being considered by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament under the co-decision procedure. Political agreement under the first reading of the Directive is expected by the end of this year.
Your input
EEF will be responding to this consultation and would welcome members' views on the proposals, in order to feed into our response. The consultation document and accompanying Regulatory Impact Assessment can be found here.