Practical results from EJP SOIL will be a baseline for politicians to draw up the guidelines for future economic development and for the creation of legislative processes. It is of paramount significance to know what soil resources are available and what can be expected from potential soil productivity.

As Europe’s population increases, commensurate pressure is being put on politicians and legislative authorities to re-zone agricultural land to make way for new houses, roads, airports and commercial areas. How should politicians proceed? Can the soil be excavated and moved to create new fields to a comparable soil quality? And who should bear the costs?

Identification of research gaps, support compilation of soil data, increased knowledge sharing and enhanced cooperation between soil scientists, advisors, farmers and policy makers. These are some of the Spanish anticipations of the activities in EJP SOIL.

There is a need for compilation and translation of research into applicable and manageable recommendations for more sustainable use of soils, say members of the Swiss National Hub.

The challenge for European policy makers is to develop efficient agricultural and environmental policies, encompassing soil management that effectively reduces climate impact in different geo-climatic regions, while at the same time bridging the needs and aspirations in food production.