Implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England

The European Communities adopted the Nitrates Directive on 12 December 1991 with the objective of reducing water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and preventing further such pollution. It requires Member States to designate as 'Nitrate Vulnerable Zones' areas of land that drain into polluted waters and to set up action programmes in these zones.

The European Commission is still not satisfied with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra's) implementation of the Directive. In the summer of 2007, Defra launched a consultation on the Nitrates Directive and proposed a number of changes. The Committee concludes that there is insufficient evidence to asses how effective the current Action Programme in England has been in reducing nitrate pollution. However, it agrees that changes need to be made to bring England into compliance with the Directive.

United Kingdom: House of Commons: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee: 7th Report (2007-08)HC 412 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvfru/412/412.pdf

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