This paper examines the legal basis of qualitative soil protection at the level of international and supranational law. After an introduction to the theoretical basics of this area of law, the focus is ultimately on the complex law of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), despite other numerous environmental regulations. Through the applicable agricultural subsidy law, the CAP has a decisive effect on qualitative soil protection. Finally, the article tries to analyse the proposed changes to the CAP after 2020.