Soil Quality

Netherlands Holds Kick-Off Meeting For KIP PFAS Soil Programme

In April 2026, the Netherlands held a multi‑stakeholder kick-off meeting for the KIP PFAS Bodem knowledge and innovation programme on remediating PFAS‑contaminated soils. The event signals sustained policy attention and future innovation funding opportunities around PFAS soil clean‑up, but no specific calls, deadlines or new legal obligations for companies have yet been announced.

10 Apr 2026, 12:48iplo.nlNetherlands

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Tables Amendments 29–278 to CAP Support Conditions 2028–2034

ENVI committee members have tabled a large package of amendments (29–278) to the draft CAP support regulation for 2028–2034 that would tie more of the budget to climate, biodiversity, pollution control, protein crops and higher animal‑welfare standards. If carried into the final post‑2027 CAP, these changes would strengthen conditionality on harmful pesticides and other inputs, expand support for agroecological and regenerative systems, and increase the share of CAP funding linked to measurable environmental and One Health outcomes.

10 Apr 2026, 12:39europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU ENVI Committee Tables Amendments 529–778 to CAP 2028–2034 Implementation Proposal

The European Parliament's ENVI Committee has proposed significant amendments to the 2028–2034 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), seeking to link funding more tightly to pesticide and fertiliser reduction targets. If adopted, these changes would shift CAP support toward mandatory compliance with water and pesticide laws, potentially accelerating the phase-out of conventional chemical inputs in EU agriculture.

9 Apr 2026, 17:35europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU ENVI Committee Amendments 279–528 to CAP 2028–2034 Support Regulation on Farm Stewardship and Chemical Inputs

The EU ENVI Committee has proposed amendments to the 2028–2034 CAP Support Regulation, seeking to condition agricultural subsidies on significant reductions in chemical pesticide and synthetic fertilizer use. This move aligns future farm funding with stricter soil and water quality standards, signaling a long-term regulatory push to phase out high-risk chemical inputs and transition toward low-input agricultural systems.

9 Apr 2026, 17:34europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

Taiwan Indicts Waste-Soil Syndicate for Illegal Dumping on Taoyuan Farmland

Taiwan authorities have indicted 33 individuals and 7 companies for large-scale illegal dumping of construction waste on farmland, following a major multi-agency investigation. This enforcement action underscores heightened scrutiny of waste disposal chains and the significant legal and financial risks for companies failing to verify the end-of-life handling of construction materials.

9 Apr 2026, 14:33enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

Andalusia Adopts New Forest Law With Phytosanitary Duties and Carbon Sink Incentives

Andalusia's new Forest Law (Law 3/2026) entered into force on April 9, 2026, introducing mandatory phytosanitary duties and a framework for carbon absorption projects. Businesses with land assets or supply chains in the region must prepare for stricter land-use controls and mandatory pest management, while exploring new opportunities for certified carbon credits and ecosystem service incentives.

9 Apr 2026, 14:11boe.esSpain

Netherlands RIVM Maps Biocidal Active Substances in Livestock Manure

The Dutch RIVM has published an exploratory study identifying biocidal active substances in livestock manure and mapping their potential environmental exposure routes. This study signals increased regulatory scrutiny of agricultural biocide residues, likely leading to empirical monitoring and future risk-management measures for stable disinfectants and pest control products.

9 Apr 2026, 10:32rivm.nlNetherlands

Minnesota Senate Committee Schedules Hearing on SF 3915 Wild-Rice Water Pesticide Protections

Minnesota is advancing SF 3915 to tighten pesticide controls near wild-rice waters, with a key committee hearing scheduled for April 2026. Operators should prepare for stricter environmental impact assessments and elevated enforcement risks for pesticide applications affecting sensitive aquatic ecosystems.

6 Apr 2026, 16:45revisor.mn.govUnited States

Dutch Government Extends Temporary Steel Slag Ban/Permit Regime to January 2027

The Netherlands has extended its temporary ban and permit regime for new steel slag applications until January 2027 to allow for further environmental and health risk research. Operators should prepare for continued market access hurdles and the likely transition of these national precautionary measures into a formal EU REACH restriction dossier.

6 Apr 2026, 16:43tweedekamer.nlNetherlands

Netherlands Clarifies Temporary Steel Slag Regime and Municipal Powers

The Dutch government has confirmed that the temporary national ban and permit regime for steel slag applications will remain in force until at least July 2026. Businesses must navigate a dual-layer compliance landscape where national circular economy goals discourage broad local bans but permit site-specific municipal restrictions based on environmental risk.

5 Apr 2026, 18:27open.overheid.nlNetherlands

France: Joint Committee Compromise Text No. 992-A0 on Agricultural Sovereignty and Generational Renewal Bill

France has reached a legislative compromise on the Agricultural Sovereignty Bill, notably restricting national bans on plant protection products that remain authorized at the EU level. This shift signals a move away from regulatory "gold-plating," providing greater predictability for crop protection and fertilizer manufacturers while streamlining environmental permitting for livestock and hedgerow management.

5 Apr 2026, 05:49assemblee-nationale.frFrance

Netherlands Publishes Underlying Advice for 8th Nitrates Directive Action Programme

The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture has released internal advisory documents detailing the development of the 8th Nitrates Directive Action Programme (2026-2029). This disclosure provides critical transparency into the legal and technical basis for upcoming fertilizer restrictions and water quality measures, signaling a period of heightened regulatory scrutiny for the agricultural and chemical sectors.

4 Apr 2026, 11:52rijksoverheid.nlNetherlands

Netherlands: State Secretary Confirms Temporary Ban and Permit Regime for LD and ELO Steel Slag in Soil

The Netherlands has enforced a temporary ban and strict permit regime for LD and ELO steel slag in soil applications, effective through July 2026. Companies using these materials in infrastructure must navigate heightened permitting requirements and prepare for a more restrictive permanent successor regime following environmental safety findings.

4 Apr 2026, 11:51zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

Australia DCCEEW Publishes 2024–25 National Pollutant Inventory Data

Australia has released the 2024–25 National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) dataset, detailing annual emissions and waste transfers for 93 substances across industrial facilities. While no new compliance obligations are introduced, businesses should use this data to benchmark environmental performance and manage reputational risks associated with public pollutant disclosures.

4 Apr 2026, 11:02dcceew.gov.auAustralia

England Environment Agency Updates Pre-Application Advice Charges and Discharge Form

The Environment Agency has increased the hourly rate for enhanced pre-application advice to £103.80 and updated the digital application process for water discharge permits, effective April 2026. Operators should factor these higher administrative costs into project planning and utilize the new online submission tools to minimize permitting delays and ensure application quality.

4 Apr 2026, 11:02gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Great Britain Publishes Guidance on UK REACH Lead Ammunition Restriction at Outdoor Shooting Ranges

UK REACH restrictions on lead ammunition at outdoor shooting ranges entered into force on April 1, 2026, with phased bans on lead shot and projectiles starting in 2028. Range operators and ammunition suppliers must implement mandatory risk-reduction measures and site reporting to secure derogations or transition to lead-free alternatives by 2029.

4 Apr 2026, 10:59gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Taiwan Ministry of the Environment Urges Local Governments to Strengthen Soil Disposal Controls and Use GPS Monitoring to Curb Illegal Dumping

Taiwan's Ministry of the Environment is intensifying enforcement against illegal soil dumping, mandating stricter local government oversight and GPS tracking for construction transport. Companies in the construction and waste sectors must ensure rigorous traceability and disposal compliance to mitigate rising legal risks and potential administrative fines.

4 Apr 2026, 10:54enews.moenv.gov.twTaiwan

New York Senate Introduces Bill S9635 To Ban Use Of Drilling Wastewater On Highways

New York has introduced legislation (S9635) to ban the application of oil and gas drilling wastewater on highways for de-icing and dust suppression. If enacted, this will disrupt current waste disposal practices for the energy sector and necessitate the procurement of alternative road maintenance materials across the state.

3 Apr 2026, 18:24nysenate.govUnited States

Utah Proposes New Oil and Gas Bonding and Idle-Well Rules

Utah has proposed a tiered financial assurance framework and stricter idle-well management rules for oil and gas operations, effective as early as June 2026. Operators face significantly higher bonding costs and mandatory plugging obligations for low-producing wells, requiring a strategic review of asset portfolios and long-term reclamation liabilities.

3 Apr 2026, 18:08rules.utah.govUnited States

Researchers Call for Stronger Regulation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Agricultural Soils and Crops

An international scientific review highlights the ubiquitous presence of PFAS and microplastics in agricultural soils, identifying significant regulatory gaps in the global food supply chain. Companies should prepare for increased scrutiny of agricultural inputs and potential new standards for soil-to-crop contaminant transfer as part of emerging "One Health" policy frameworks.

3 Apr 2026, 17:56doi.orgGlobal