The invention relates to a baling press having a horizontal construction, for compaction of loose material, comprising a pressing channel having a fill-in opening, a pressing plate that can be displaced in the pressing channel, having a pressing surface that stands in contact with the material to be compacted, multiple hydraulic cylinders coupled with electro-hydraulic drive assemblies, for generating a pressing force, for advancing the pressing plate for the purpose of introducing the pressing force into the filled-in material, as well as for returning the pressing plate to a starting position, and a control and regulation system configured for monitoring the spatial orientation of the pressing surface and keeping it constant during the advancing movement of the pressing plate.The control and regulation system preferably comprises a distance measurement device for sequential measurement of the actual distances between measurement points on the pressing surface and reference points fixed on the frame, a measurement result evaluation unit for determining deviations of the actual distances from predetermined desired distances, and a control circuit connected with the drive assemblies, for variation of the drive output for the purpose of equalizing differences between the actual and desired distances.