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Implementation of nitrates Directive
The European Community has been taking measures concerned
with nitrogen pollution in waters for over twenty years. Whilst
the initial directives concerned themselves mainly with water
for human consumption, more recent directives, such as those
on nitrates from agricultural sources and urban waste water
treatment have placed increased emphasis on the environmental
effects of excess nitrogen, in particular eutrophication.
These recent directives are currently in the process of implementation.
The various steps of implementation of the directive are:
| 1. |
Detection of polluted or threatened
waters (N)
Human Health Protection
Living resources and aquatic ecosystems protection
Eutrophication prevention
(1 year monitoring)
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| 2. |
Designation of "vulnerable
zones" (NVZs)
- Areas of agricultural land
- with significant contribution to N pollution at
watershed level
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| 3. |
Code(s) of good agricultural
practice
(on all M. S. Territory - Voluntary)
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| 4. |
Action Programs within NVZs
- Code(s) of good agricultural practice becomes
mandatory
- Other measures (nutrient balance, manure storage,
spreading < 170 kg N organic/hectare/year)
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| 5. |
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National monitoring |
(200-2000 points/M.S.) and
reporting
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Every 4 years on |
- NO3 concentrations
- Eutrophication (algae)
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: Assessment of Action Programs impact |
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: Revision of NVZs and Action Programs |
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The associated calendar for implementation is:
In order to limit the losses linked to agricultural activities,
the main types of actions that the Nitrates directive promotes
(in annexes II-codes of good practice, and III-actions programmes)
simultaneously concern:
- Crop rotations, soil winter cover, catch crops, in order
to limit leaching during the wet seasons.
- Use of fertilisers and manure, with a balance between
crop needs, N inputs and soil supply, frequent manure and
soil analysis, mandatory fertilisation plans and general
limitations per crop for both mineral and organic N fertilisation.
- Appropriate N spreading calendars and sufficient manure
storage, for availability only when the crop needs nutrients,
and good spreading practices.
- "Buffer" effect of non-fertilised grass strips
and hedges along watercourses and ditches.
- Good management and restriction of cultivation on steeply
sloping soils, and of irrigation.
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