WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 River basin characterisation: analysis of characteristics of water environment review of impact of human activity - pressures - assessment of risk of water bodies failing WFD targets or objectives by 2015 economic analysis of water use
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 England & Wales: 11 river basin districts
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 data gathering on a variety of pressures (including agriculture) estimate of quality objectives assessment of whether likely to be achieved by 2015 Map: Surface water bodies at risk from diffuse source pressures
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Water bodies at risk of not achieving WFD objectives by 2015 (all pressures): Rivers: 92.7% Lakes: 84% Estuaries: 98.5% Coastal Waters: 84.8% Groundwater: 75.3% Note: numbers are split between “definitely at risk” and “probably at risk”. At risk does not mean certain failure!
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Pressure from diffuse sources: 80% of rivers, 50% of lakes, 25% of estuaries and coasts, 75% of groundwaters
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Pressure from diffuse sources (cont’d): Nutrients such as nitrogen (mainly from agriculture) - 40% of rivers, 20% of estuaries, 50% of groundwaters being at risk Phosphorus - 50% of rivers, 25% of lakes at risk Agricultural pesticides & sheep dip – 20% of rivers and groundwaters
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Other pressures: Abstraction & Flow Regulation 10% of rivers, 14% of estuaries 26% of groundwaters Physical alterations 80-90% of coastal waters and estuaries 50% of rivers, 60% of lakes
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Conclusion: Diffuse sources of pollution are a serious concern Key risk to meeting the WFD target to achieve good chemical & ecological status in all water bodies by 2015 Agriculture is a major contributor to diffuse pollution
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Next Steps: Knowing the extent of the problem…. Exploring policy options Working with stakeholders
WFD & Agriculture – Article 5 Current action: encouraging voluntary action by farmers utilising CAP reform and Stewardship