Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) Implementation of the Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC) Salzburg 1 June 2006 Michael Hamell Head of Unit European Commission, ENV B1 Agriculture, Forests and Soil

Nitrates Directive -Agriculture is the single dominating source of nitrogen pollution 50-80% of the total load (source, EEA, 2005) -It is crucial for water protection to fully implement the nitrates directive

Implementation in EU Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Whole territory: Austria Denmark Finland Germany Ireland Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Slovenia

Nitrate vulnerable zones

NVZ designation Positive Progress designation past years: 2002: 38% territory EU 15 2005: 43% territory EU 15 Important progress in IR, SE, UK, BE, FR, PT, IT, ES Estimation EU 15: +/- 47% NVZ Good monitoring in most MS Difficulties: Correct monitoring (in some MS) Correct application of criteria for identification waters in particular eutrophication Designation of NVZ still incomplete in some MS

Water monitoring network EU 15 Groundwater Density of sampling points per 1000 km2 land area

MS 1999 2003 Common points Austria 25.75 24.58 23.95 Germany 0.52 2.81 Denmark 18.57 Finland 0.19 Luxemburg 1.93 7.35 Netherlands 27.04 26.21 25.89 Belgium - F   29.01 Belgium -W 44.94 50.28 39.60 Spain 8.91 13.43 3.82 France 4.69 5.55 2.80 Greece 3.18 Italy 7.15 7.57 Ireland 4.35 Portugal 1.62 3.83 1.56 Sweden 0.33 UK 6.40 3.71 2.53 EU 11.70 12.49 10.13 points per 1000 km2 <1 1>3 >3

Trends in groundwater quality (data from geodatabase)

Graph of quality classes per MS , figure 4 a Groundwater (14) Graph of quality classes per MS , figure 4 a However check with graph geodatabase. Germany very different

Water monitoring network EU 15 Surface water Density of sampling points per 1000 km2 land area (water courses and lakes)

MS 1999 2003 Common points Austria 2.95 2.94 2.91 Germany 2.73 Denmark 3.87 Finland 3.40 7.03 Luxemburg Netherlands 17.65 22.05 17.06 Belgium - F 124.33 Belgium – F (MAP) 22.13 59.21 18.43 Belgium -W 6.71 10.81 4.63 Spain 1.21 4.44 0.75 France 2.70 3.05 1.84 Greece 0.77 Italy 14.53 16.05 Ireland 0.73 1.18 Portugal 0.67 0.84 Sweden 1.02 UK-England 32.43 32.84 31.88 EU 8.25 17.47 7.45 <1 1>3 >3

Surface water, trend NO3 data from geodatabase

Surface waters, eutrophication Will follow, map already available at share point, but it needs some adaptation before it can be inserted in the presentation

Action programmes implementation Some of the area requiring improvement 170 kgN/ha from organic manure Storage capacity Limiting fertilisation in function of balance parameters (crop needs, N in soil, net mineralisation , NH3 deposition, etc.) Prohibition periods in fertiliser application Provisions on fertiliser spreading near water course and slopes

Action programmes Manure storage capacity Result of the study carried on by the Commission Climatic Zone Suggested minimum storage capacity Boreal 9-10 months Atlantic 6-8 months Central European alpine plains and valleys 7-8 months 6-7 months Mediterranean area 4 -5 months

Action Programmes Derogation possibility on 170 kg N/ha limit Conditions Only if action program in compliance with directive Based on objective criteria (e.g.Long growing seasons;Crops with high nitrogen uptake; High net precipitation,…) Commission decision + Vote needed in Committee Temporary + close follow up of environmental situation Why Need? Areas with very intensive livestock practices Socio- economic reality Find compromise between dreams and reality Phosphorus becomes relevant as: Directly involved in action programme as manure contains N & P (P often limiting at derogation level for pig and poultry manure) To be considered now to avoid farmers facing further restrictions in a few years time following WFD requirements

Derogation Decisions Decisions -Denmark: 230 kg N/ha – Commission Decision 2005/294/EC of 5 April 2005 (OJ L 94, 13.04.2005, p. 34) -Netherlands: 250 kg N/ha – Commission Decision 2005/880/EC of 8 December 2005 (OJ L324, 10.12.2005, p. 89) -Austria: 230 kg N/ha - Commission Decision 2006/189/EC of 28 February 2006 (OJ L66, 8.03.2006, p. 44) MS who indicated interest in derogation: -Ireland -Germany -Belgium -United Kingdom

Ongoing activities Actual discussions with UK, DE, IR, BE on designation and/or action programmes Derogation Follow up decisions DK, NL and AU Discussions with IR and DE on derogation possibilities Discussions eventually to be started with UK and BE New Member States Discussions started with LT, HU, CZ, SK (meetings) and PL (written contacts) Discussions with remaining NMS: to be started Autumn 2006/Spring 2007 Infringements Follow up of open infringement procedures Ongoing discussions with several MS on designation and action programmes New cases might be opened if issues don’t get resolved