Brussels, 11/02/2009 (Agence Europe) - Nitrate water pollution from farming is declining in the European Union but in some regions nitrate concentrations exceed authorised value limits, underlines a report by the European Commission on the application of the “Nitrates directive” (Directive 91/67/EC), published on Thursday 11 February. This report calls for more efforts to be made to implement this directive, which aims to protect Community waters against nitrates from farming, the main cause of water pollution from all different sources combined.
In a press release, Janez Potoènik, the new commissioner for the environment, declared: “Safeguarding water quality is a top priority for European environment policy. Farmers have worked hard to improve fertilisation management, which is now yielding benefits and improving water quality trends. However, in some regions, meeting EU water quality standards remains a serious and continuing challenge”.
The report reveals that between 2004 and 2007, nitrate concentrations in surface water (including rivers, lakes and canals) remained stable or fell at 70% of monitored sites. Quality at 66% of groundwater (below ground surface) monitoring sites is stable or improving. Despite these encouraging trends, the report reveals a number of regions where nitrate levels are worrying. High nitrate concentrations are found in groundwater in parts of Estonia, south-east Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders), UK (England), several parts of France, northern Italy, north-east Spain, south-east Slovakia, southern Romania, Malta and Cyprus. Particularly high concentrations are found in surface waters in Malta, UK (England), Belgium (Flanders) and France (Brittany). Some 15% of groundwater monitoring stations and 3% of surface stations found nitrate concentrations above the water quality standard of 50 mg/l. Many member states need to step up efforts in a number of areas, including monitoring and identifying pollution hotspots as well as developing tougher action programmes. On a positive note, the report notes growing interest from farmers in innovative feeding methods, which reduce nutrient excretion as well as in new technologies such as manure processing. The “Nitrates” directive requires member states to locate polluted surface or underground waters (or those that are at risk of becoming polluted, particularly when nitrate concentration in underground or surface water goes above 50 mg/l) and for zones that are in danger of contributing to pollution. The EU27 is also keen on establishing voluntary codes for agricultural good practice and implementing action programmes for vulnerable zones. These programmes must include measures identified in good conduct codes, as well as measures aimed at limiting the spreading of any fertiliser containing nitrates into soils and setting limits on manure-derived sprays. (A.N./transl.fl)