This follows European Commissioner Stavros Dimas' comments regarding his “disappointment” over the lack of agreement (see letsrecycle.com story).
Dr Diane Mitchell, chief environment adviser at NFU said: “The NFU was particularly concerned that the European Commission's own objectives of Better Regulation and CAP Simplification appeared to have been disregarded with the tabling of this proposal.
“Our main concerns were that the draft directive failed to acknowledge the significant benefits that are and will continue to be delivered through existing and forthcoming policies such as CAP reform cross compliance measures which require farmers and growers to adhere to soil standards and keep their land in good agricultural and environmental condition; targeted use of agri-environment schemes providing resource protection; and carefully targeted action through the Water Framework Directive (especially in priority catchment areas).”
There is already an existing requirement for farmers to have soil management plans in place under the cross-compliance conditions of the Single Payment scheme.
Dr Mitchell also said that new soil protection legislation should only be introduced after existing policies are acknowledged, well understood and properly evaluated.
She emphasised: “There is nothing to stop national governments across the EU from introducing their own legislation similar to that which we have in the UK on soil quality and contaminated sites.
“Given that farmers' primary interest is in maintaining their land in good condition and in assuring its long-term fertility and productivity, there are many principles and aspects of the Commission's Thematic Soil Strategy which we fully support. This includes carefully targeted advice and information, voluntary action, partnerships and a greater emphasis on monitoring and research. “
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