Press Release: Water pollution by nitrates: Commission moves against Finland

The European Commission has decided to send a second warning letter (reasoned opinion) to Finland for non-respect of the European Union's Nitrates Directive. Finnish rules are not sufficiently strict in relation to storage capacity for animal manure, the periods of prohibition on land spreading, and the restrictions on land application of fertilizers do not go far enough to avoid nitrate pollution. The decision is the latest in the Commission's ongoing concerted efforts to reduce water pollution by nitrates from agriculture across the Union. Most Member States are also the subject of legal action by the Commission.