Soil

Soil is a natural resource necessary for the production of food and industrial raw materials, as well as for the exploitation of energy resources. It is also a valuable natural feature and is therefore protected as part of our natural heritage. Being a natural resource, a valuable natural feature and a spatial carrier, soil is essential for the existence and development of human society. One important activity in Slovenia today is the protection of soil from physical destruction and pollution, and the preservation of a balance between soil and other parts of the ecosystem. Soil management must ensure the conservation of natural characteristics of the soil and an appropriate quality of human life.

In the field of soil, the Environmental Agency of the Republic of Slovenia conducts the following procedures:

• issuing authorisations for the implementation of operational monitoring in accordance with the Rules on the operational monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil
• keeping a list of commissioners for the implementation of operational monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil
• gathering and processing reports on the operational monitoring of the input of dangerous substances and plant nutrients into the soil
• issuing permits for the input of sewage sludge, compost and sludge into the soil in agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food, and in accordance with the Decree on the input of hazardous substances and plant nutrients into the soil.