The Commission blames some of the decline in biodiversity on a failure to adopt an EU-wide law to protect soil. 

A proposal for a soil directive has been in the legislative doldrums since 2007, when Germany led a blocking minority against its adoption. An attempt by Spain, during its presidency of the Council of Ministers in 2009, to revive the proposal was again thwarted by Germany, which is concerned about the potential cost, possible overlap with national legislation, and whether the EU is going beyond its remit on something that might be dealt with by individual states.

But there are some recent signs that may indicate a change of heart in Berlin. The Bundesrat (the upper chamber of parliament made up of state representatives), which led the objections that the EU was going beyond its remit, is now controlled by a Social Democrat-Green coalition. The Green party has proposed three resolutions, the most recent in January, demanding that negotiations at EU-level should be restarted.

Costly detoriation

A paper published by the Commission last month, updating a previous 2006 strategy, gives alarming evidence of the importance of soil to biodiversity. Soil deterioration is estimated to be costing €38 billion a year in Europe, with 9% of Europe’s surface now sealed over in urban areas – which also increases the risk of flooding. Germany is among the few member states to have brought in robust national laws to protect soil, many others have little protection in place.

“Since the strategy came out in 2006 we have much more scientific evidence about the importance of soil,” said Sarolta Tripolszky of the European Environmental Bureau. She pointed in particular to soil’s role in combating climate change because of its ability to store carbon. Soil has been recognised as the largest carbon store on the planet, capable of storing twice as much as the atmosphere and three times as much as vegetation. It is also important for biodiversity and water purification.

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