Brussels, 25/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - Estonia has received a reasoned opinion urging it to take measures to combat water pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, the European Commission announced on Thursday 25 February.
Despite the country's being sent an initial warning, Estonian national legislation still does not include sufficient measures to reach the objectives of the Council Directive 91/676/EEC on establishing action programme for zones vulnerable to nitrates pollution.
Some of the shortcomings include too short periods when the land application of fertilisers is prohibited and no clear methodology for the general requirement of balanced fertilisation. If the Estonian authorities fail to put things in order within the next two months, the Commission may refer the case to the Court of Justice of the EU. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)