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Monitoring effectiveness of the EU Nitrates Directive Action Programmes: Synthesis of workshop contributions

  • B. Fraters
  • , K. Kovar
  • , W.J. Willems
  • , J. Stockmarr
  • , R. Grant

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter in report

Abstract

Our paper will summarise the contributions of the participants to the MonNO3 workshop, organised by RIVM, GEUS and DMU in The Hague (Scheveningen), the Netherlands on 11-12 June 2003. More specifically, it will provide synthesis of the papers and outline the workshop discussions on the methodology for monitoring the effectiveness of the EU Nitrates Directive Action Programmes. The legal requirements for this type of monitoring are set down in the Nitrates Directive, article 5(6) (EC, 1991). In 1999 the European Commission published the Draft Monitoring Guidelines (EC, 1999). There are large differences between countries with respect to use of surface waters and groundwater, and with respect to the intensity and structure of the agriculture. There seems however no relationship between intensity of agriculture and whether Member States have designated Nitrate Vulnerable Zones or whether they apply their Nitrates Directive Action Programmes to the entire territory. Derogation with respect to the maximum allowable nitrogen application rate of 170 kg ha-1 of N with manure is only applied for or considered by Member States with a substantial livestock density. Member States are investing a lot of time and money in monitoring networks, with several Member States still extending their networks. There was an agreement on the general strategy for effect monitoring of the Action Programmes and the fact that this does not imply that all Member States have to monitor in the same way. Two different approaches of effect monitoring were defined but not discussed in detail, because this was beyond the scope of this workshop. Several focal points for further study have been drawn up, along with discussions that would be of interest to several or all of the countries, but which could not be discussed during the workshop. It was concluded that it is important to ensure a followup to this workshop to fortify this budding co-operation and prevent it from blowing over
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMonitoring effectiveness of the EU Nitrates Directive Action Programmes
Subtitle of host publicationResults of the international MonNO3 workshop in the Netherlands, 11-12 June 2003
EditorsB. Fraters, K. Kovar, W.J. Willems, J. Stockmarr, R. Grant
PublisherNational Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Netherlands)
Pages23-40
Number of pages18
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Publication series

SeriesRIVM report
Number 500003007
Volume2005

Programme Area

  • Programme Area 2: Water Resources

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