COM(2021)1000
EUR-Lex

SWD(2021)1001

COM(2010)0047

The Commission presents its report on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC (“the Nitrates Directive”) concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2004-2007. This reporting exercise includes for the first time all 27 Member States. All new Member States, have established monitoring networks, designated vulnerable zones and established action programmes.

Evolution of pressures from agriculture since the last reporting period: the progressive reduction in mineral nitrogen fertilizer consumption, which started in the early 1990s, stabilized during the period 2004-2007 for the EU 15. At EU 27 level the nitrogen consumption shows a slightly increasing trend. As compared to the last reporting period, the yearly total amount of mineral nitrogen fertilizer consumption remained stable around 9 million tons in the EU-15 whereas it has increased by 6%, from 11.4 to 12.1 million tons, in the EU 27. Consumption of mineral phosphorus fertilizers reduced with 9% for EU the 15, while it decreased by only 1% for the EU 27 as compared with the last reporting period.

The decreasing trend in animal numbers noted in the last reporting period stabilised in the period 2004-2007. Comparison between 2003 and 2007 show that for EU 15 pig and poultry numbers -apart from laying hens- decreased, while goat sheep and cattle numbers slightly increased. Dairy cattle numbers increased with 7.6% in EU 15. For EU 27 similar trends are noticed, with a more pronounced decrease in poultry numbers- apart from laying hens.

The amount of nitrogen from animal husbandry spread annually on agricultural soils in the EU 27 has decreased from 9.4 to 9.1 million tons between 2003 and 2007 and from 7.9 to 7.6 for the EU15. There are large differences in pressure from agriculture between Member States. Areas with a high nutrient pressure include among others the Netherlands, Belgium-Flanders and France-Brittany. Member States in Eastern Europe generally have lower pressures due to lower input of fertilizers and livestock density.

The contribution of nitrogen loads from agriculture to surface waters is decreasing in many Member States. Nevertheless, the relative contribution from agriculture remains high. In most Member States agriculture is responsible for over 50% of the total nitrogen discharge to surface waters. The share of nitrogen loads in river basins that comes from diffuse sources remains high in large parts of Europe.

Trends in Groundwater Quality : Comparison with the data of the previous reporting period shows that, at EU 15 level, stable and decreasing trends are prevalent (66% of the monitoring stations, of which 30% with decreasing trends). However, 34% of the monitoring stations still show an upwards trend. In the new Member States that have compared data with the former period (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary), 80% of the stations are stable, 11% of the stations show a decreasing trend and 9% show an increasing trend. The Member States with increasing trends in more than 30% of monitoring stations were Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, Italy and United Kingdom. However, with the exception of Ireland, these Member States show similar or even higher percentages of stations with improving quality. Trend analysis per water quality class shows that in several Member States the share of points exceeding 50 mg per litre is still increasing including Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The share above 50 mg per litre decreased in Austria, Germany, Finland, Luxembourg and Portugal. However, data should be interpreted carefully as many Member States substantially increased the monitoring density which might influence the share of points per quality class. Within groundwater bodies, shallow levels showed higher nitrate concentrations than deeper levels. The highest proportion of contaminated water lies between 5 and 15 metres below the surface.

Trends in fresh surface water : 70% of the monitoring stations show stable or decreasing nitrate concentrations. In 3% the concentration is exceeding 50 mg per litre while in 21% the concentration is below 2 mg per litre. In 33% of the stations monitoring trophic status, the water is defined eutrophic or hypertrophic. The pressure from agriculture with respect to surface water nitrate pollution has decreased in many Member States, although still, agriculture contributes largely to nitrogen loads to surface waters.

A further increase in the area of vulnerable zones as compared to the former reporting period is observed in the EU 15. Designated zones increased from 43.7% to 44.6 % of the EU 15 territory, while 39.6% of the EU 27 territory is designated, including the territory of Member States that apply an action programme on the whole territory. However, water quality data show that, in several regions, for EU 15 and EU 12, further increases in designation are necessary according to the criteria set out in the Nitrates Directive.

The quality of action programmes further improved as compared with the last reporting period in the EU 15. However, it is still often driven by infringement procedures. All new Member States established action programmes, but several programmes need further improvement in order to attain full compliance with the requirements of the Nitrates Directive, particularly the provisions that relate to storage construction, balanced fertilisation and establishment of periods during which land application is banned. Availability of information and training services to farmers and efficient control programmes are essential in order to ensure effective implementation of programmes in the field.

In intensive livestock regions an increased interest in manure processing techniques is observed, allowing more efficient nutrient management often combined with production of energy from biogas production. The efficient nutrient management is playing a role in reducing farm costs.

Experiences of implementation and advanced scientific insights in synergistic effects of measures in nitrate action programmes suggest that nitrogen policies require an integrated approach by considering the whole nitrogen cycle and that implementation of the Nitrates Directive brings substantial benefits notably in terms of reductions in ammonia and greenhouse gas emissions as well in the wider field of water protection under the Water Framework Directive. More attention to this aspect of nitrogen management will be necessary in future, as well as an adequate and continuous support from the scientific community at both National and European level.

The Commission will continue to work with Member States to improve implementation with the common aim to protect waters. It will continue to take legal action where it considers necessary.

COM(2010)0047
EUR-Lex

SEC(2010)0118
EUR-Lex

The aim of this present report is to inform the European Parliament and the Council on the state of the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC (the Nitrates Directive), in accordance with its Article 11. It is based on the information transmitted by EU 15 Member States in the period 2004-2006 (3 rd reporting exercise 2000-2003) and is accompanied by aggregated maps of pressure from nitrogen from agricultural sources, of water quality data and of designated nitrate vulnerable zones. It, therefore, deals principally with EU 15.

Evolution of pressures from agriculture since the last reporting period: the trend towards greater intensification and higher productivity during much of the past fifty years was accompanied by a significant increase in the use of both inorganic nitrogen (N) and phosphate fertilisers. However, since the mid-Eighties, a progressive reduction in fertiliser consumption has been recorded and this trend has continued in the period 2000-2003. At EU 15 level, the reduction recorded in the period 2000-2003 compared to the previous period 1996-1999 was 6% for nitrogen and 15% for phosphate fertilisers respectively, with downwards trends continuing also in 2004 and 2005.

Results of water quality survey

Groundwater : in the period 2000-2003, 17% of EU monitoring stations had nitrate concentrations above 50 mg NO 3 /l, 7% were in the range 40 to 50 mg NO 3 /l and 15% were in the range 25-40 mg NO 3 /l. Approximately 61% of the groundwater stations had a concentration below 25 mg NO 3 /l. Comparison with the data of the previous reporting period shows that, at EU 15 level, stable and decreasing trends are prevalent (64% of the monitoring stations, of which 30% with decreasing trends). However, 36% of the monitoring stations still show an upwards trends. The Member States with increasing trends in more than 30% of monitoring stations were Belgium (Wallonia), France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. In general, however, with the exception of Spain, France, United Kingdom and Belgium, the percentage of stations with increasing nitrate concentrations is counterbalanced by a similar or even higher percentage with improving quality.

Surface Water: average nitrate concentrations below 10 mg NO 3 /l were observed in 53% of the monitoring stations and equal or below 2 mg NO 3 /l in 19% of monitoring stations notably in mountainous areas. In 2,5% of the monitoring stations nitrate concentration exceeded 50 mg NO 3 /l and in 4% recorded values in the range 40 to 50 mg NO 3 /l. Member States with the highest proportion of sampling points showing nitrate concentration above 50 mg NO 3 /l were United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. The comparison with the 1996-1999 surveys shows that, in the large majority of surface waters, nitrate concentration is decreasing or stable. This would confirm an overall decreasing trend observed in the previous reporting period, but further data would be needed to assess the influence of climatic conditions and urban wastewater treatment improvement in this evolution. In 14% of monitoring stations the concentration is increasing. Decreases or stable nitrate concentrations in surface water were reported as generalised trends in Denmark (freshwaters), Austria, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands (freshwaters). Incidence of sampling stations with increasing trends is particularly high in north-west and southern France, southern England, eastern Spain and Portugal.

Designation of nitrate vulnerable zones: Member States are required to review nitrate vulnerable zones at least every four years on the basis of the results of water monitoring. In the period 2000-2003 further progress has been made in nitrate vulnerable zone designation. Seven out of fifteen Member States took the option in the Nitrates Directive not to identify specific nitrate vulnerable zones, but to establish an action programme through the whole territory. In addition to Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Luxemburg and the Netherlands, Ireland established a whole territory approach in March 2003. Other Member States increased, in several cases substantially, the nitrate vulnerable zones since 1999. Overall, in EU 15, designation of nitrate vulnerable zones increased from 35,5% of the territory at the end of 1999 to 44% at the end of 2003 From 2003 onwards further designations were made, in Italy, Spain, Portugal and United Kingdom, Northern Ireland. Belgium has established the procedure to increase its designation to include 42% of Wallonia territory and all Flanders. However, based on review of available information on nitrogen pressure and water quality, in particular, with regard to eutrophication and shallow groundwater there are still some gaps in designation. Work is necessary to eliminate these gaps.

Action Programmes: b y the end of 2003, all Member States, with the exception of Ireland, had, albeit some rather belatedly, established one or more action programmes on their territory. Ireland finally established its programme in 2006. Member States have provided information regarding the newly established action programmes since 1999 and on the modifications introduced as a result of the periodic review required by the Nitrates Directive. Approximately 110 action programmes were in place by the end of 2003. Although progress in the quality of action programmes is being made, many still show several areas of non conformity. Several Member States failed to require compliance with the standard for manure nitrogen application. Another key measure, minimum storage capacity of livestock manure, was not established as mandatory in some action programmes. The Commission gives details of areas where action programmes did not conform to requirements. However, notwithstanding the need for further improvement, in 2000-2003, progress was made through design and implementation of new action programmes and improvement of the measures of the existing action programmes in the context of the periodic revision. Further progress is now being made with improved quality of the measures.

Forecast in water quality: few Member States provided quantitative information on the time scale during which either a stabilization of the present level of pollution or a recovery of the water quality (both for nitrate and eutrophication) is forecast to be achieved. The difficulty of drawing conclusions depends on the many uncertainties regarding climate and transport processes in soils. A general conclusion is that it will take several years before improvements in water quality can be observed as a result of the implementation of the measures of the action programmes and modification of the agricultural practices (including reduction of the number of livestock). In the few cases in which a timescale of restoration of water quality is provided (sometimes as a result of simulation for specific basins) it ranges from a minimum of 2-4 years to more than 30 years. Action programmes are now established in all new Member States. The Commission is analysing the designation and the action programmes to assess their compliance with the Nitrates Directive.

Infringement proceedings: there are proceedings against 7 Member States, mainly for insufficient designation of nitrate vulnerable zones and non conformity of action programmes.

Conclusions: t he third report on the implementation of Nitrates Directive for the reporting period 2000-2003 shows improvement in the quality of monitoring and reporting. With regard to water quality, on groundwater, although the overall trend is stable or improving in 64% of sites, nevertheless an increase in nitrate pollution was observed in 36% of sites and 17% of sites showed nitrate concentration above 50 mg per litre. In surface waters stable or decreasing nitrate concentrations were observed in 86% of monitoring sites, confirming trends already seen in several Member States in the previous report. However, further data would be needed to assess the influence of climatic conditions and urban wastewater treatment improvement on this development. Significant progress has been made regarding both designation of vulnerable zones and action programmes. Vulnerable zones increased from 35,5% of EU 15 territory in 1999 up to the 44% in 2003, with further designations thereafter. However, based on review of available information on nitrogen pressure and water quality, the Commission considers that there are still gaps in designation which need to be filled. Progress in the quality of action programmes has been significant in the recent years and should contribute to the improvement of water quality in future reporting periods. The Commission's overall analysis is that significant progress is now being made in the implementation of the Nitrates Directive, but that considerable further work inimproving designations and the quality of action programmes will be required in order to fully achieve the objectives of the Directive with regard to water quality. It looks to continued increasing cooperation from Member States in this work.

COM(2007)0120
EUR-Lex

COM(2002)0407
EUR-Lex

OJ C 341 09.11.1998, p. 0011-0035
T4-0607/1998

T4-0607/1998

Debate in Parliament

A4-0284/1998
OJ C 313 12.10.1998, p. 0007

A4-0284/1998

EUR-Lex
COM(1998)0016

2033

EUR-Lex
COM(1997)0473

EUR-Lex
COM(1997)0473