Environmental regulations of agriculture in the Baltic Sea catchment areas, with reference to the European Union and the North Sea

The environmental policies aimed at reducing nutrient emissions from the agricultural sectors in the Baltic states, Poland, Germany and Scandinavia are detailed. The emissions include leaching, run-off and erosion losses of nitrogen and phosphorus, volatile losses of ammonia, and farm waste discharges. Farm waste discharges and nitrate leaching from agricultural fields have received considerable attention during the last few decades, but more recently the remaining loss categories have also been recognized as substantial contributors of nutrients to the environment.

Environmental targets have been set in the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Ministerial Declaration of 15 February 1988, stating that a significant reduction (e.g. 50%) of the nutrient load to the Baltic Sea shall be reached before 1995. A similar target for the Oslo and Paris (OSPARCOM) Convention waters has been set by the North Sea ministers, while the EU Nitrate Directive expresses an environmental standard by setting an upper limit to nitrate concentrations in groundwater.

It is argued here that in most instances only marginal reductions in agricultural emissions will be achieved under the current policies before 1995 (or later). Exceptions are seen in transition economy countries where fertilizer consumption and livestock production have decreased significantly. As agriculture is a major source of nutrients to convention waters, the overall 50% reduction target will not be met. Furthermore, it is argued that there is scope for a considerable reduction of losses from agriculture and that the instruments to achieve the objectives are readily available. Measures should focus on the total input of nutrients to the agro-ecosystems and not so much attempt to regulate specific management practices. The more prominent instruments include the reduction or alteration of agricultural subsidies, market considerations and the use of environmental taxes (on fertilizers and nutrients in animal manure) combined with in-depth structural regulations. It is, however, necessary to generate further political willingness to ensure decisions and successful implementation of the various measures—a process which requires public attention.