Workpackage 6

Deliverable (D6.1)

This is the third policy brief produced by NORDBALT-ECOSAFE from WP6 ‘Towards eﬃcient and just policies for mitigating agricultural nutrient emissions in the Nordic-Baltic region’. The policy brief is about nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) regulations in EU and the way farmers can assist in water protection. This demands that they need clear rules and support. EU level regulations and policies with an impact on N and P emissions to EU waters are shared and examples from the participating countries on farmers wishes for future management and with examples on how this is dealt with in the different countries.

Deliverable (D6.2)

This policy report reviews European and national regulations and policies that impact N and P concentrations in European waters. Agriculture is the main source of N and P emissions on surface waters, which cause eutrophication and deterioration of surface waters. We compare the implementation of important EU regulations and policies in five EU member states of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Poland. There are differences in implementation of CAP schemes in terms of which measures have been emphasized in the countries. National rules exist for farmers on fertilization, manure storage and dissemination, buffer strips, catch crops, collector plants, soil properties and tillage, mulching requirements, minimum winter plant cover, hydrotechnical measures, rewetting peat soils and the promotion of circular economy.

Governance models and policy tools

Objectives

The aim of WP6 is to support river basin managers, stakeholders, and policy makers to apply a systemic approach to preventing pollution from nitrogen and phosphorus across economic sectors to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive while at the same time considering the climate costs of nutrient management. WP6 will conduct a review of the European as well as Nordic and Baltic (e.g., HELCOM) regulations and governance models in nutrient management for devising fit for purpose regulations, incentives, and nutrient management practices that also take climate costs into account. WP6 will also propose broader policy measures to foster a systemic shift towards more sustainable ways of production and consumption (i.e., reducing the production and consumption of products and services with high nutrient emission footprints).

Tasks

6.1. National governance models for NBSs and MMs.
6.2. Review of European policy tools and their impacts

Revised 22.04.2024

Else Vihlborg Staalsen