Throughout the development of the LIFE AgroPaper® project, the influence of the use of biodegradable and compostable agricultural mulch on agricultural and environmental legislation has been studied.
Among other actions, we have tried to promote
- the inclusion of the sustainable alternative LIFE AgroPaper® for mulching in the current legislation.
- the replication of VGSSM practices together with the use of AgroPaper®.
The project results demonstrate that AgroPaper® paper mulch can meet the main objectives of the Climate and Environment Agreements, Covenants and Strategies:
- Reduces GHG emissions and contributes to carbon sequestration.
- Reduces plastic production and pollution by avoiding plastic.
- Contributes to soil protection and fertility.
- Contributes to increasing soil biodiversity and protects wild biodiversity.
In this sense, LIFE AgroPaper can help farmers to comply with the Circular Economy horizontal legislation:
- EU Action Plan for Nature, People and the Economy
- Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection COM/2006/0231 + Global Soil Partnership
- European Soil Biodiversity Atlas + Global Soil Biodiversity Strategy
- 4 per 1000 Initiative + Soil Health and Food Mission
- European Ecological Action Plan
- EU Directive 2019/904 environmental impact of plastic, EU Soil Strategy, reversing plastic pollution in soils,
- Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC).
- Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC); waste prevention.
- Spanish Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soils.
3 different type of technical documents for AgroPaper®
In the framework of LIFE AgroPaper®, three types of technical documents have been developed for:
- For environmental administrations, requesting the promotion of the use of AgroPaper® paper mulch, FSC pine long fibre, in their Strategic Plans, Strategies and Policies, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Environmental Protection and Conservation, Water Regulation.
- For agricultural administrations, requesting AgroPaper® pine long fibre paper mulch to be included in the current mulching legislation (2019) and to access CAP funds.
- For the competent authorities in Organic Agriculture, so that, as soon as the legal framework for biodegradable mulches is established at EU level, AgroPaper® is also accepted under the EU Organic Regulation 2018/848.
The project is supported by the European Commission – LIFE program of the European Union with the reference: LIFE 19 ENV/ES/000404 – and aims to demonstrate that paper mulching is a sustainable solution for the environment, thus helping to preserve the planet. Finally, the paper, produced by Smurfit Kappa, maintains its resistance properties in conditions of high humidity and water, replaces polyethylene and allows for efficient and environmentally friendly padding.
