New EU Soil Observatory: Catia Bastioli among the guests at the launch event organized by JRC

On December 4 the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC) established the new EU Soil Observatory.
For the occasion a launch event was organized online to illustrate goals and directions of the new Observatory, a dynamic and inclusive platform that will provide information and data needed by the European Commission and the community of "land users" to safeguard soil. The Observatory will also support activities aimed at increasing awareness of the social value of soil and the commitment of citizens.
 
Catia Bastioli, CEO of Novamont and member of the Board of the European Commission's Mission Soil Health and Food, a group of experts called to assist the Commission in the preparation of legislative proposals and policy initiatives, participated in the panel discussion "R&I infrastuctures for soil".

In her speech she illustrated the central role of soil in the context of the bioeconomy and highlighted the important contribution that the Mission Soil Health and Food can give to its development.
She also stressed the importance of the EU Soil Observatory as a strategic tool not only to help communities and Member States to achieve the goals set by the Mission, but especially to involve citizens and create more knowledge on soil complexity.

Among the other speakers also Peter Wehrheim, Head of Unit "Food Systems and Bioeconomy" of the European Commission, Directorate General "Research and Innovation", Claire Chenu, Coordinator of the National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE) and the European Joint Programme for Soil (EJP Soil), Bernhard Url, Executive Director of EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority.