The European Union’s environment ministers, meeting in Luxembourg on Monday 17 June, reached a political agreement (‘general approach’) with the EU Council on the proposal for a directive on soil protection. Presented in July 2023 (see EUROPE B13216A4), this directive aims to protect soil in the same way that water, air and the marine environment are protected. It provides for mandatory monitoring of soil health and guidelines for sustainable management, with the aim of making all...