EU Adopts Soil Monitoring Regulation Despite German, Austrian Opposition
The EU has adopted the Soil Monitoring Regulation, despite opposition from Germany and Austria, with Bavarian MEPs Stefan Köhler and Christine Singer criticizing the directive for overlooking core agricultural demands. The regulation, approved by the EU Parliament on October 23, 2023, aims to achieve net-zero land take by 2050, focusing on soil sealing and erosion. It was formally adopted on September 29, 2025, following a majority vote in the EU Council, with Germany and Austria unable to prevent its enforcement. The directive requires member states to monitor soil health, with a focus on contamination from PFAS and pesticides. Sampling must be completed within six years, with no additional costs or documentation requirements for farmers and landowners. Measurement data will be published anonymously to prevent property devaluation in cases of contamination. Green MEP Martin Häusling praised the decision for providing uniform rules for assessing soil health. However, the Bavarian Farmers’ Association opposes the directive due to unfit indicators and new reporting obligations. The Soil Monitoring Regulation will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, with standardized soil protection measures now set to be implemented across the EU, overriding national objections.
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