Public consultation on the “Sewage sludge use in farming” directive is now open

The purpose of this consultation is to understand the views of the citizens and stakeholders on sewage sludge and how it is managed across the EU.

The Sewage Sludge Directive was adopted to encourage the correct use of sewage sludge in agriculture and to regulate its use in order to prevent harmful effects on soil, vegetation, animals and humans. The use of sludge in agriculture is an effective alternative for chemical fertilisers, as it is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Sludge also contains valuable organic matter that is useful when soils are depleted or subject to erosion. Recycling of materials, in line with circular economy principles, is high on the EU agenda .

However it is also important that what is used as a resource is not contaminated, otherwise recycling will result in increasing pollution of soil, water and/or air. The Circular Economy Action Plan adopted on 11 March 2020 commits the Commission to consider revising the Sewage Sludge Directive. To inform this reflection, this evaluation aims to see whether the law is doing what it is meant to do, whether its objectives are still relevant today, and whether the costs arising from the requirements of the law are justified.

The feedback period for the consultation is: 20 November 2020 – 05 March 2021  (midnight Brussels time). 

To contribute with your views please check here.