1. WFD and Agriculture Draft Mandate for activity under the CIS 2005/2006 Work Programme

2. At the Water Directors meeting in June ’04 we recognised ……..
Agriculture will significantly impact upon, and be impacted
by, the WFD objectives.
WFD characterisation – a high proportion of water bodies
at risk of failing to meet the WFD ‘good status’ objectives
due to agriculture.
Environmental, economic and social benefits of reducing
diffuse water pollution from agriculture (DWPA).
Recent Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms –
increased opportunities to support farmers in
addressing their environmental responsibilities

3. Overall nature and scale of DWPA problem in Europe
BUT that UNCERTAINTY over ………
Overall nature and scale of DWPA problem in Europe
Degree to which existing measures, including CAP, will contribute to achieving WFD objectives
Additional action required under WFD

4. Therefore in order to …….
Fill the INFORMATION GAP
MANAGE THE UNCERTAINTY and RISK of not meeting WFD objectives
Encourage better joining-up of WFD and CAP
Consider the IMPACTS OF WFD on AGRICULTURE

5. Water Directors decided to establish EU Strategic
Steering Group
UK working with Commission to prepare draft mandate
Approval by the Strategic Coordination Group
Discussion at the Rural Directors Nov ’04 meeting

6. Draft Mandate
Output
Will be targeted at : Member States, the Commission, farmers, organisations involved in the implementation of CAP and WFD, and other interested parties.
Will be ……
- Improved evidence base to inform decision making and identification
of evidence gaps.
- More strategic thinking on how to maximise the value of links
between WFD and CAP agendas – including better links between
the EU water, Agriculture and Rural agendas.
- Information sharing between Member States (e.g. best
approaches for engaging with and educating the farming
community).