title: The impact of the Nitrates Directive on nitrogen emissions from agriculture in the EU-27 during 2000-2008.
abstract: A series of environmental policies have been implemented in the European Union (EU) to decrease nitrogen (N) emissions from agriculture. The Nitrates Directive (ND) is one of the main policies; it aims to reduce nitrate leaching from agriculture through a number of measures. A study was carried out to quantify the effects of the ND in the EU-27 on the leaching and runoff of nitrate (NO3(-)) to groundwater and surface waters, and on the emissions of ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen oxides (NO(x)) and dinitrogen (N2) to the atmosphere. We formulated a scenario with and a scenario without implementation of the ND. The model MITERRA-Europe was used to calculate N emissions on a regional level in the EU-27 for the period 2000-2008. The calculated total N loss from agriculture in the EU-27 was 13 Mton N in 2008, with 53% as N2, 22% as NO3, 21% as NH3, 3% as N2O, and 1% as NO(x). The N emissions and leaching in the EU-27 slightly decreased in the period 2000-2008. Total emissions in the EU in 2008 were smaller with implementation of the ND than without the ND, by 3% for NH3, 6% for N2O, 9% for NO(x), and 16% for N leaching and runoff in 2008. However, regional differences were large. The lower emissions with ND were mainly due to the lower N inputs by fertilizers and manures. In conclusion, implementation of the ND decreased both N leaching losses to ground and surface waters, and gaseous emissions to the atmosphere. It is expected that the ND will result in a further decrease in N emissions in EU-27 in the near future, because the implementation of the measures for the ND is expected to become more strict.
authors.affiliation: Alterra, part of Wageningen UR, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: gerard.velthof@wur.nl.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Velthof
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lesschen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pietrzak
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Miatkowski
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kros
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Oenema
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000379:methods*; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D058735:Environmental Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005062:European Union; D049674:History, 21st Century; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D009566:Nitrates; D017672:Nitrogen Compounds
keywords: Agriculture; Ammonia; Nitrate; Nitrates Directive; Nitrogen; Nitrous oxide