1. 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

2. 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

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

4. Nitrate vulnerable zones

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. Trends in groundwater quality (data from geodatabase)

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. Surface water, trend NO3 data from geodatabase

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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