Welcome to the SoCo Project !
Considering soil conservation through simplified cultivation techniques as a key element towards sustainable agriculture, the European Parliament has requested the European Commission to carry out a project entitled "Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (the SoCo project)".
In addition to improving the knowledge on soil conservation agriculture and the related policy framework, the project covers dissemination activities to relevant stakeholders and policy makers in a EU-wide context.
The project has started in 2007 and will finalize in 2009.
In close cooperation with the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), the SoCo project is performed by the Joint Research Centre's Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS) and Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES). The Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV) collaborates closely with the SoCo project.
New:
SoCo Policy Seminar on 28 May 2009: Agenda and presentations
Fact sheets are available in 22 EU languages.
Reports: Final report on the project 'Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo)'
Addressing soil degradation in EU agriculture: relevant processes, practices and policies
The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national.