The objective of the workshop "Soil Protection within the European Union", which took place on 9 - 11 November 1998 in Bonn, is to present and to discuss the different strategies and options for protecting soils on the European level. This is the first time that the development of soil protection policies is treated as a separate policy area and that it makes the subject of an European workshop.

This can be attributed to the fact that the increasing deterioration of soil is in general considered as an important problem because soils are necessary for preserving the natural basis for live for the next generations. Soil degradation is apparent world-wide, including European countries. Although the problems faced throughout the Europe are similar, considerable differences exist regarding possible solutions and strategies and the urgency of taking options to protect soils. The objective of the Workshop is to present and discuss the various strategies and options for protecting soils on the European level.

In this workshop, Ecologic played an advisory role regarding the conceptualisation and the organisation of this workshop.