Workshop on Agricultural Nutrient Reduction,Vilnius September 2004 HELCOM- on the way to nutrient load reduction Kaj Forsius HELCOM

Content Presentation of HELCOM Presentation of HELCOM Results and trends in nutrient loads Results and trends in nutrient loads Future work on nutrients Future work on nutrients How does the BSRP contribute to this work How does the BSRP contribute to this work Conclusions Conclusions

The Baltic Sea Area 85 million people Brackish water Low temperature Long residence time of water Slow degradation of hazardous substances

Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Governing body of the Helsinki Convention International co-operation for the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea area since the new Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area was signed (entered into force Jan 2000)

Aim of the Convention to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution to restore the ecosystem and preserve its balance to ensure sustainable use of the natural resources

HELCOM achievements Political achievements Environmental achievements: - Joint monitoring and assessment programmes - Network of Baltic Sea Protected Areas - Better protection to prevent and respond to pollution from ships -Stricter control on industry -Improved treatment of wastewater -Hot Spots programme, etc.  All resulting in visible improvements of the Baltic Sea, fauna and flora in the Baltic Region

Role of HELCOM An environmental policy maker developing common objectives and actions; An environmental focal point providing information which can form the basis for decision-making in other international fora; A body for developing Recommendations (own and supplementary) A supervisory body ensuring that HELCOM requirements are fully implemented throughout the catchment area; and A co-ordinating body ascertaining multilateral response in case of major maritime incidents.

HELCOM’s priority areas of work Based on the eco-system approach: Joint monitoring and assessment; Nature conservation and biodiversity; Eutrophication; Hazardous substances relevant for the Baltic Sea; Maritime safety and shipping, including response activities

Oxygen concentrations in bottom waters 2002

Overall results from the Fourth Pollution Load Compilation Nitrogen Phosphorus point sources Background Diffuse sources 27% 20% 53% point sources Background load Diffuse Sources 31 % 10% 59% Discharges from different sectors

Phosphorus

Nitrogen

Ministerial Declaration 1988: 50 % Reduction Target Point sources Good progress in phosphorus reduction Progress in transition countries largely due to economical changes ”Old” EU countries show in general smaller reductions since implementation started before late 1980’s Progress in water protection measures in new EU countries after 1995 Programmes established to further reduce pollution from point sources

Reduction in diffuse sources Smaller reduction than for point sources Major changes in transition countries due to: - Changes in number of lifestock units - Use of mineral fertilizers Long time lag before reduction measures can be seen in losses Losses expected to increase after EU enlargement

Nitrogen losses from agriculture per square kilometre agricultural land

HELCOM regulations Annex III of the Convention Plant nutrients E.g. animal density, manure storage, application of organic manures Application rates for nutrients, winter crop cover Water protection measures and nutrient reduction areas Plant protection products Registration and approval, storage and handling Application technology, testing of spraying equipment Environmental permits, monitoring, education,

Ministerial Bremen Declaration June 2003 The Ministers acknowledged: Agriculture main source of nitrogen input, especially in present EU countries EU enlargement may lead to even higher nutrient inputs Measures agreed: more sustainability through implementation of reforms in the Common Agricultural Policy implementation of related EU directives important as well as Annex III of the Helsinki convention to ensure efficient nutrient utilisation

Further work to reduce nutrients Less work to have new requirements Environmental focal point influencing decision making in other fora use of tools to assess the implications of different policy scenarios, including implementation of EU CAP –indicate the most cost-effective measures of most important pollution sources –Identify where to implement these measures address inputs from other sources of nutrients, such as airborne nitrogen and small municipalities

HELCOM and the BSRP HELCOM has been prioritizing the use of the ecosystem approach for setting especially tailored ecological quality objectives (EcoQOs) for the Baltic Sea. EcoQOs will provide the Baltic Sea region with the tools for setting “measurable” future policy goals and a means to evaluate management outcomes. The BSRP goal to improve the management of all relevant activities by introducing an ecosystem approach will contribute to this work The integration of open sea and near shore activities is important (filling in gaps)

HELCOM and the BSRP Specific interests in Component 2 Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening, raising awareness of farmers –forms the basis of improved implementation of measures Development of tools and mechanisms for investments -helps to implement HELCOM regulations at farm level and GAP codes Nutrient balance calculations –link between investments and environmental effects.

HELCOM and the BSRP Specific interests in Component 2 Monitoring and assessment activities supports HELCOM work: oimproved data on loads from agriculture olinks the activities on land to the effects in the sea The modelling work can contribute directly to increased use of models in HELCOM to assess changes in inputs Helps in facilitating national programmes for nutrient reduction

HELCOM and the BSRP Specific interests in Component 2 Land-based coastal zone management -follow up to the HELCOM JCP Hot Spots -supports the implementation of HELCOM Recommendation 24/10 on ICZM -the restoration of wetlands, small scale wastewater treatment and spawning ground interventions are important for the near-shore fishing issues

Conclusions Less progress in reduction of nutrients from agriculture Input might increase with EU enlargement Effective implementation of regulations in Annex III and EU measures needed Specific tailor-made measures for the Baltic Sea Area should be considered The BSRP helps in implementing different aspects of agricultural measures

For more information Please contact: Helsinki Commission Secretariat Katajanokanlaituri 6 B FI Helsinki Finland