The EU Nitrates Directive: a European approach to combat water pollution from agriculture.

Gert J Monteny

doi:10.1100/tsw.2001.377

Abstract

From 1991 onward, the European Union (EU) member states have had to comply with the Nitrates Directive. The aim of this directive is to sustainably protect ground and surface waters from pollution with nitrogen (nitrate) originating from agriculture. Agriculture is, on an EU level, the largest single source of nitrate (runoff, leaching) pollution, although households and industries also contribute to some extent. An important element in the directive is the reporting every 4 years on the monitoring of ground- and surface-water quality. Furthermore, all 15 member states are compelled to designate so-called Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs). These are regions where the nitrate concentrations in the groundwater amount to 50 mg/l or more. In addition to Codes of Good Agricultural Practice, valid on a countrywide basis and often consisting of voluntary-based measures, specific Action Programmes with mandatory measures have to be developed for the NVZs. The first reporting period ended in 1995. This paper describes the progress in member states’ compliance with the Nitrates Directive during the second period (1996–1999), with a focus on the agricultural practices and action pro- grammes. An evaluation of the member states’ reports shows that good progress is being made on the farmers’ awareness of the need to comply with EU regulations on the protection of the aquatic environment. Action programmes are valuable tools to enforce measures that lead to a reduction of the water pollution by agricultural activities. Regional projects show that significant improvements can be achieved (e.g., reduced fertiliser inputs) while maintaining crop yields and thus maintaining the economic potential of agriculture.

Highlights

Nitrogen input through fertilisers is larger than the crop uptake in many regions in the European Union (EU)
The French initiative Ferti-Mieux, French for “improved fertilisation”, was launched in 1991 as a programme of advice to farmers for a rational fertilisation. It had its basis in the Nitrates Directive that was published in the same year
The agriculture-related nitrogen pressure to the EU aquatic environment has strongly increased after the 2nd World War

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Nitrogen input through fertilisers (chemical, animal) is larger than the crop uptake in many regions in the European Union (EU). These areas are likely to contribute to nitrate pollution of surface waters or groundwaters to a level at or above 50 mg/l These NVZs are regions with high animal densities (large organic and mineral N inputs) or intensive arable crop production (large inputs through mineral N). Data are provided for the situation before and after the expansion of the EU with 3 member states (Austria, Finland, Sweden) at the end of the last century These data show that no recent reduction of the nitrogen “pressure” from agriculture as EU level occurred during the last decade of the past century. Buffer strips and restrictions for fertiliser application near watercourses will prevent direct pollution of groundwaters This action programme could be further improved by a more tightened restriction of fertiliser application on sloped soils, further enhancement of permanent crops, and increased areas of winter cover crops.

Evaluation J

30 Surplus on field level

CONCLUDING REMARKS