Preventing water pollution from agricultural nitrates

The European Union Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources) aims to curb the introduction of excessive levels of nitrates into surface waters and groundwaters from agricultural fertilizers and waste. Excessive nitrate levels cause undesirable ecological changes in water and are a factor in harmful algal blooms. They also have adverse public health implications. The directive required Member States to carry out monitoring of surface waters and groundwater, identify nitrate-polluted waters, and designate vulnerable zones (i.e. zones draining into nitrate-polluted waters) by 20 December 1993. Action programmes for such zones were required to be established by 20 December 1995 in order to control nitrate pollution from agricultural sources. Member States have the option of applying these action programmes throughout their territory. Member States were also obliged to adopt codes of good agricultural practice; these are a binding part of action programmes.