Regulating the use of sewage sludge in agriculture in such a way as to prevent harmful effects on soil, vegetation, animals and man.
Sewage sludge has valuable agronomic properties in agriculture.
In using the sludge account must be taken of the nutrient needs of plants, without however impairing the quality of the soil and of surface and ground water. Some heavy metals present in sewage sludge may be toxic to plants and man. Sewage sludge may be used in agriculture, provided that the Member State concerned regulates its use. The Member States must take the measures necessary to ensure that these limit values are not exceeded through the use of sludge. Sludge must be treated before being used in agriculture but the Member States may authorise the use of untreated sludge if it is injected or worked into the soil.