Plenary/EP: adoption of the soil monitoring law and position on COP30

MEPs adopted the soil monitoring law on 23/10/2025 in Strasbourg. It aims to ensure soil is monitored in all EU countries and farmers get support to improve soil health and soil resilience. It will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal, and countries will then have three years to comply.

This law asks Member States to monitor and assess their soil health, building on their national methodologies; set non-binding sustainable targets to improve soil health; help farmers improve soil health and resilience; and draw up a public list of potentially contaminated sites within 10 years of entry into force. An indicative watch list of substances that constitute a risk for human health, the environment, and soil health will also be drawn up 18 months after entry into force. PFAS and pesticides will be listed there.

The Commission is asked to reinforce its soil sampling programme, LUCAS soils, and to offer financial and technical support to Member States. The new law does not impose any obligations on landowners and land managers.

MEPs also adopted their…