Figure 7. Frequency diagram of trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in groundwater at different depths, aggregated over all Member States.

Table 3. Number of stations of reported saline surface water monitoring of annual average nitrate measurements in reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, and the change (%) between both periods.

The results of the other available analyses indicate that 14 Member States or regions (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, UK-Northern Ireland and UK-Scotland) predict a further decrease in nitrate concentrations in groundwater and surface waters, partly due to the expected effect of changes in agricultural practices driven by the Directive implementation and by several agro-environmental measures included in the Rural Development Programmes. Ten Member States or regions (Belgium-Wallonia, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, UK-England and UK-Wales) did not come to a clear direction about future water quality or predicted increasing or decreasing water quality for different water bodies. Lithuania reported that improvements are unlikely given the current set of measures.

Four Member States and a region (Croatia, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Belgium-Flanders,) did not report on the forecast of water quality. Belgium-Flanders and Cyprus mentioned that reliable forecasts are not possible due to the time lag between measures implementation and effect, or due to complicated climates and hydrology.

The methods applied by Member States to assess future developments in water quality are mostly based on trend analysis, scenario assessments or model simulations, sometimes combined with analyses of past and expected developments in agricultural practices. These predictions, however, are hampered by large uncertainties, due to the large variations in climate and soil conditions and their effects on water quality.

Eutrophication data on transitional, coastal and marine waters were only submitted by a limited number of Member States. For transitional waters, six out of the ten Member States that submitted data, showed a 100% proportion of eutrophic or hypertrophic waters ( Figure 14 ). For coastal waters, the proportion of stations with eutrophic or hypertrophic conditions varied from 0% in Slovenia to 100% in Latvia ( Figure 15 ). Five out of the ten Member States had more than 50% eutrophic or hypertrophic coastal waters. Marine data on eutrophication were submitted by three Member States ( Figure 16 ).

Of all reported lakes monitoring stations in EU-28, 18% and 8% were eutrophic and hypertrophic, respectively, while 45% and 1% were oligotrophic or ultra-oligotrophic, respectively ( Figure 13 ). Of all the Member states that reported on eutrophication, the eutrophication state of lakes varied from no eutrophic or hypertrophic stations in Malta to 100% hypertrophic lakes in Croatia. Member states with relative low (<10%) proportions of eutrophic or hypertrophic stations were Malta, Romania and Austria. Member States with relatively high (>50%) proportions of eutrophic or hypertrophic stations were Bulgaria, Croatia and Poland.

In general, the trophic status of rivers is slightly better than the status of lakes ( Figure 17 ).

Of all reported river monitoring stations in EU-28, 12% and 7% were eutrophic and hypertrophic, respectively, while 31% and 21% were oligotrophic or ultra-oligotrophic respectively ( Figure 12 ). The eutrophication state of rivers varied from no eutrophic or hypertrophic stations in Cyprus to 100% hypertrophic rivers in Malta. Of all the Member states that reported on eutrophication the ones with relative low (<10%) proportions of eutrophic or hypertrophic stations were Cyprus, Slovenia, Portugal, Greece, Northern Ireland, Romania, Latvia and Bulgaria. Of all the Member states that reported on eutrophication, the ones with relatively high (>50%) proportions of eutrophic or hypertrophic stations were Austria, Luxemburg, Spain, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Belgium, Croatia and Malta.

There is a slight improvement compared to the previous reporting period, in which 1.8% of the monitoring stations had annual average nitrate concentrations equal to or exceeding 25 mg/L.

In saline waters, nitrate concentrations are lower than in fresh water concentrations, with 0.7% of the stations equal to or exceeding 25 mg/L and 75.7% of the stations below 2 mg, based on annual average values.

Compared to the reporting period 2008-2011, in the EU-28, a decreasing trend in annual average nitrates concentrations was observed in 31% of all freshwaters monitoring stations, of which 9% showed a large decreasing trend. 50% of the monitoring stations showed stable concentrations. An increasing trend in annual average nitrates concentrations was observed in 19% of all freshwaters monitoring stations, of which 5% showed a large increasing trend ( Figure 11 ).

There is a slight improvement compared to the previous reporting period, in which 2.4% of the monitoring stations had annual average nitrate concentrations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L and 2.4% showed concentrations between 40 and 50 mg/L ( Error! Reference source not found. ).

In the reporting period 2012-2015, the average annual nitrate concentration was equal to or exceeded 50 mg/L at 1.8% of the monitoring station in the EU-28 ( Figure 9 ). Another 2.0% of the stations had average annual nitrate concentrations between 40 and 50 mg/l and 8.8% between 25 and 40 mg/L. The lowest annual average nitrate concentrations (highest proportion less than 2 mg/L) in fresh surface water were found in Sweden, Ireland and Greece and the highest (highest proportions equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L) in the United Kingdom, Belgium and Malta.

Compared to the previous reporting period 2008-2011, 26% of all stations in the EU-28 showed an increasing trend and 32% a decreasing trend ( Figure 8 ). Member States with a relatively high proportion (>40%) of stations with increasing trends were Malta, Bulgaria, Estonia and Lithuania.

Maximum nitrate concentrations were equal to or exceeded 50 mg/L in 20.3% of the monitoring stations in the EU-28, varying from 1.1% in Sweden to 75.6% in Malta. There is a slight improvement compared to the previous reporting period, in which 20.9% of the monitoring stations had maximum nitrate concentrations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L.

The lowest nitrate concentrations are observed in captive and karstic groundwater with around 5% of stations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L ( Figure 6 ). In phreatic groundwater the proportion of stations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L varied from 13% to 19%, with the highest values observed for groundwater depths of 5 to 15 meter. A similar effect was also observed for the trends ( Figure 8 ) with a relatively stable situation for karstic and captive groundwater, and a relatively high proportion of decreasing and increasing trends for phreatic groundwater. The lowest proportion of a stable situation was observed for phreatic groundwater at a depth of 5 to 15 meter.

In the reporting period 2012–2015, the average annual nitrate concentration was equal to or exceeded 50 mg/L at 13.2% of the monitoring stations in the EU-28 ( Error! Reference source not found. , Figure 5 ). This varied from no exceeding stations in Ireland, or less than 5% in Finland, Sweden, Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia and Estonia, to more than 20% in Spain, Germany and Malta. Overall, at EU-28 level, there is a slight improvement compared to the previous reporting period, in which 14.1% of the monitoring stations were equal to or exceeded an average annual nitrate concentration of 50 mg/L. In this reporting period the average annual nitrate concentration was between 40 and 50 mg/L at 5.7 % of the monitoring station in the EU-28.

In the reporting period 2012-2015, the total number of saline surface water monitoring stations with annual average nitrate measurements in the EU-28 was 2,205 ( Table 3 ). Compared to the previous reporting period 2008-2011 the overall number of monitoring stations decreased by 29% ( Table 2 ). Relatively large (<-10%) decreases were seen in Bulgaria, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Sweden, while relative large increases (>+10%) were seen in Estonia, Finland, Ireland and Malta.

The average sampling frequency is around four times a year, and varies from almost once a year in Sweden to just over 20 times a year in Ireland ( Figure 4 ).

In the reporting period 2012-2015, the total number of fresh surface water monitoring stations with annual average nitrate measurements in the EU-28 was 33,042 which is an average of 7.6 stations per 1,000 km2 of land ( Table 2 , Figure 3 ). The station density varies from 0.5 per 1,000 km2 in Finland to 34 stations per 1,000 km2 of land in the United Kingdom. Compared to the previous reporting period 2008-2011, the overall number of monitoring stations increased by 23% ( Table 2 ). Relatively large (<-10%) decreases were seen in Germany, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Slovakia, while relative large increases (>+10%) were seen in Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Finland, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

The average sampling frequency of groundwater is nearly twice a year, and varies from less than once a year in, Denmark, Latvia, Poland and Sweden to around 5 times a year in Belgium and Croatia ( Figure 2 ).

In the reporting period 2012-2015, the total number of groundwater monitoring stations with annual average nitrate measurements in the EU-28 was 34,091 which is an average of 7.8 stations per 1,000 km2 of land (( Table 1 , Figure 1 ). The station density varies from 0.6 in Finland to 130 stations per 1,000 km2 of land in Malta. Compared to the previous reporting period 2008-2011 the overall number of monitoring stations remained nearly the same. Relatively large (<-10%) decreases were seen in Spain, Portugal and Romania, while relative large increases (>+10%) were seen in Estonia, Greece, Finland, Latvia, Poland, Sweden and Slovenia.

Map 15. Trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in surface water between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 25 and 40 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 14. Trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in surface water between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 10 and 25 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 13. Trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in surface water between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 2 and 10 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 12. Trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in surface water between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 for all.

Map 8. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration equal to or above 50 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 7. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 40 and 50 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 6. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 25 and 40 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 5. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration below 25 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 4. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 in all stations.

Map 2. Stations with annual average nitrate concentrations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L in groundwater for the reporting period 2012-2015.

Figure 33 Change in the number of sheep (%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Figure 29 Change in the number of pigs (%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Figure 27 Change in the number of dairy cattle (%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017 ).

Figure 25 Change in the number of total cattle (%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Figure 17. Frequency diagram of trophic status classes of different water types in reporting period 2012-2015. Note that the number of underlying Member States is different per water type (Annex 2).

Figure 7. Frequency diagram of trends in annual average nitrate concentrations in groundwater at different depths, aggregated over all Member States.

Figure 6. Frequency diagram of annual average nitrate concentrations in groundwater at different depths, aggregated over all Member States.

Table 25. Nitrate vulnerable zones in Member States and Member States applying an action programme to the whole national territory in line with Art. 3(5) of the Nitrates Directive (source: data provided by Member States to JRC).

Table 24. Phosphate balance (kg P per ha) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 23. Net nitrogen balance (kg N per ha) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 22. Animal manure phosphate use (1,000 kg P) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 21. Animal manure nitrogen use (1,000 kg N) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 20. Fertiliser phosphate use (1,000 kg P) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 19. Fertiliser nitrogen use (1,000 kg N) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 18. Livestock density (LU per ha UAA) in 2010 and 2013, and the change between the years 2010 and 2013 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 17. Number of Livestock Units (1,000) in 2010 and 2013, and the change between the years 2010 and 2013 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 16. Number of sheep (1,000) in the period 2008-2015, and the change in number between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 15. Number of poultry (1,000) in 2010 and 2013, and the change between the years 2010 and 2013 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 14. Number of pigs (1,000) in the period 2008-2015, and the change in number between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 13. Number of dairy cattle (1,000) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 12. Number of total cattle (1,000) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 11. Average farm size (ha) in 2010 and 2013, and the change between 2010 and 2013 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 10. Number of farms in 2010 and 2013, and the change between 2010 and 2013 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017 ).

Table 9. Utilized agricultural area (1,000 ha) in the period 2008-2015, and the change between the periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 (Source: Eurostat, June 2017).

Table 8. Average annual animal manure nitrogen and fertiliser nitrogen use (1,000 kg N) presented in the article 10 reports of the Member States for reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, and the change between the two reporting periods.

Table 7. Average livestock numbers (1,000,000) presented in the article 10 reports of the Member States for reporting periods 2008-201 and, 2012-2015, and the change between the two reporting periods.

Table 6. Annual average nitrogen discharge (kton N) to the aquatic environment and relative contribution of agriculture (%), presented in the article 10 reports of the Member States for reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015. * If different from 2008-2001 and 2012-2015.

Table 5. Percentage of fresh surface water monitoring points per water quality class (annual average nitrate concentration in mg nitrate per L) for all stations of the EU 28 Member States for the period 2008-2011 and 2011-2015.

Table 4. Percentage of groundwater monitoring points per water quality class (annual average nitrate concentration in mg nitrate per L) for all stations of the EU 28 Member States for the period 2008-2011 and 2011-2015.

Table 3. Number of stations of reported saline surface water monitoring of annual average nitrate measurements in reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, and the change (%) between both periods.

Table 2. Number of stations and station density (stations per 1,000 km2 of land) of reported fresh surface water monitoring of annual average nitrate measurements in reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, the change (%) between both periods, and the annual average sampling frequency in 2012-2015.

Table 1. Number of stations and station density (stations per 1,000 km2 of land) of reported groundwater monitoring of annual average nitrate measurements in reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, the change (%) between both periods, and the annual average sampling frequency in 2012-2015.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

Map 7. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 40 and 50 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 6. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration between 25 and 40 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 5. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015, for stations with an average annual nitrate concentration below 25 mg/L in 2012-2015.

Map 4. Trends in nitrates concentrations in groundwater between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 in all stations.

Map 2. Stations with annual average nitrate concentrations equal to or exceeding 50 mg/L in groundwater for the reporting period 2012-2015.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

Table 5. Percentage of fresh surface water monitoring points per water quality class (annual average nitrate concentration in mg nitrate per L) for all stations of the EU 28 Member States for the period 2008-2011 and 2011-2015.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

* If different from 2008-2001 and 2012-2015; 1: 2010 survey;2 England & Wales; 3 Report also stated different values (116/118); 4 Data from 65% of the regions; 5 Data from 75% of the regions; 6 kg manure (no N content available).

* If different from 2008-2001 and 2012-2015; 1: DE reported that the figure was underestimated.

Data on nitrogen discharge into the aquatic environment has not been provided by all Member States ( Table 6 ). For the Member States that reported comparable data for both periods (Belgium-Wallonia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Ireland, Luxemburg, Poland, Romania, UK-Northern Ireland and UK-Scotland), the average nitrogen discharge decreased by 3%. Increases were observed for Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland and UK-Northern Ireland). In the reporting period 2012-2015 the contribution from agriculture varies from around 50% to nearly 100%.

In the current reporting period, the phosphate balance in the EU-28 varies from – 7 to +30 kg P per ha ( Table 24 ). Member States with negative surpluses are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Sweden and Slovakia. Relatively high surpluses (>5 kg P/ha) are observed in Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Croatia and Malta. The phosphate balance in the EU-28 increased from 1.8 to 2.0 kg P/ha (+14%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015. The changes varied from -5.5 kg P/ha (Malta) to +3 kg P/ha (Austria). Relatively large (>2 kg P/ha) increases were observed in Austria and Hungary Relatively large decreases (<-2 kg P/ha) were observed in Malta, the Netherlands and Poland.

In the current reporting period, the net nitrogen balance in the EU-28 varies from around zero to around 147 kg N per ha ( Table 23 ). Member States with relatively high surpluses (>50 kg N/ha) are Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The net nitrogen balance in the EU-28 increased from 31.8 to 32.5 kg N/ha (+2.4%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015. The changes varied from -28 kg N/ha (Malta) to +10 kg N/ha (Ireland). Increase of >+5 kg N/ha were observed in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland, Slovenia and Slovakia. Decreases of >5 kg N/ha were observed in Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands and Sweden.

A nutrient surplus occurs when not all the fertilizers and animal manure applied to the land are absorbed by the plants or removed during harvest. A surplus represents a potential loss to the environment or accumulation in the soil.

The total use of mineral fertiliser phosphate in the EU-28 increased from 1.07 to 1.13 kton P (+ 6%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 20 ). The changes varied from -46% (the Netherlands) to +56% (Bulgaria). Relatively large (>+15%) increases were observed in Austria, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia and Slovakia. Relatively large (<-15%) decreases were observed in Belgium, Greece, Italy, Malta and the Netherlands.

The total use of mineral fertiliser nitrogen in the EU-28 increased from 10.5 to 11.0 kton N (+ 4%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 19 ). The changes varied from -30% (Croatia) to +56% (Bulgaria). Relatively large (>+15%) increases were observed in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Spain, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal and Slovakia.

The total use of animal manure phosphate in the EU-28 decreased from 1.66 to 1.61 kton P (-3.1%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 22 ). The changes varied from -15% (Czech Republic) to +8% (Hungary). Relatively large (>+5%) increases were observed in Estonia, Hungary and Latvia. Relatively large (<-5%) decreases were observed in Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.

The total use of animal manure nitrogen in the EU-28 decreased from 9.5 to 9.2 kton N (- 2.6%) between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 21 ). The changes varied from -13% (Czech Republic) to +7% (Hungary). Relatively large (>+5%) increases were observed in Hungary and Latvia. Relatively large (<-5%) decreases were observed in Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.

The nutrients excretion rate might vary between Member States. Therefore variations in animal numbers are not directly comparable in terms of nutrients production.

Changes in sheep numbers between reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 showed large variations between Member States ( Table 16 ). A very large increase was seen in Lithuania (+107%), and to some extent also in Latvia (+24%). Relatively large decreases (<-10%) were observed in Germany, Spain, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands and Portugal.

The total number of poultry in the EU-28 decreased by 0.5% between 2010 and 2013 ( Table 15 ). The changes varied from -43% to +38%. Relatively large (>+15%) increases were observed in Finland, Germany, Luxemburg and Sweden, while relatively large decreases (<-15%) were observed in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Portugal.

The total number of pigs in the EU-28 decreased by 3% between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 14 ). Most countries showed decreasing pig populations, except Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Portugal. Relatively large decreases (< -10%) were observed in Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania and Slovenia.

The total number of dairy cattle in the EU-28 decreased by 0.9% between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 13 ). The changes varied from -19% to +14%. Relatively large (>+4%) increases were observed in Cyprus, Italy, Ireland and the Netherlands while relatively large decreases (<-4%) were observed in Croatia, Greece, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Slovakia.

The total number of cattle in the EU-28 decreased by 0.7% between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 12 ). The changes varied from -11% to +14%. Relatively large increases (>+4%) were observed in Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Cyprus and the Netherlands while relatively large decreases (<-4%) in Romania, Malta, Greece, and Lithuania.

The average livestock density decreased, by 2.9% between 2010 and 2013 ( Table 18 ), from 0.75 to 0.73 livestock units per ha. In 2013, the livestock density varied from 0.21 livestock units per ha in Bulgaria to 3.57 livestock units per ha in the Netherlands. Other countries with relatively high livestock densities (>1.5 livestock units per ha) are Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark and Malta.

The total number of livestock units (comprising cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, horses and rabbits) in the EU-28 decreased by 3.6% between 2010 and 2013 ( Table 17 ). Six Member States (the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Finland, Ireland and Latvia) showed an increasing livestock population varying from less than less than 1% to 3.5%. Relatively large (<-10%) decreases were seen in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Croatia, Malta and Poland.

Because not all Member States have submitted comprehensive data concerning agriculture, official statistics from Eurostat have been used to complement the information provided by the Member States.

Average farm sizes increased from 14.7 to 16.4 ha (+12%) between 2010 and 2013 ( Table 11 ). The changes in farm size varied from -13% in the Czech Republic to +77% in Croatia. Small farms (<5 ha) are seen in Cyprus, Malta and Romania, whereas relatively large (>50 ha) are seen in the Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, France, Luxemburg, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.

The utilized agricultural area showed varying changes between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 ( Table 9 ), with an average decrease of 1%. Member States with relative larger decreasing areas (<-2%) were Austria, Cyprus, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Relative large increasing areas (>+2%) were observed in Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia and Malta.

In 2013, there were approximately 10.9 million farms in the EU-28, which is an 11% decrease compared to 2010 ( Table 10 ). Farm numbers decreased in all Member States, varying from decreases of less than 1% (Ireland) to 38% (Italy), with the exception of the Czech Republic where farm numbers increased by 15%. Farms with livestock decreased from approximately 6.9 to 6.2 million (-10%) in the EU-28 between 2010 and 2013.

Large livestock numbers concentrated locally or regionally pose high risks to the environment when manure production is out of balance with land availability and crop nutrient requirements. This imbalance creates a surplus of nutrients much of which is sooner or later lost to water (nitrates and phosphates) and air (ammonia and nitrogen oxides), if not exported out of the region sometime leading to additional pressures in receiving areas. In particular the loss of nutrients into Europe's waters can result in numerous negative impacts on human health and the environment, such as groundwater pollution and the loss of habitats and biodiversity.

Agriculture provides multiple benefits to society. However, some farming activities result in the alteration of the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and represent an important pressure on the environment. The intensity of this pressure is dynamic and there can be important differences based on local environmental conditions, characteristics of the production systems and the intensity of production.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Surface water data of saline waters were not included in the dataset for many Member States. Eutrophication status was reported in various ways which were not in line with the required ND reporting guidelines.

·The sections on cost effectiveness and forecast of water quality were not reported by many Member States. When reported, the interpretation and formulation of conclusions was very different per Member State.

·The sections on the Code of Good Agricultural Practice and the implementation of the Action Programme were presented in nearly all reports, but in a huge variety of detail and completeness.

·Most Member States reported on agricultural pressure for the whole territory and also for NVZs. The data generally covered the complete reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015. However, in certain cases, the reporting included incomplete periods or even different periods and years per parameter.

·Water quality data were generally presented in the format of the draft guidelines. However the data presented in the Article 10 reports data did not always match with the submitted digital data through EOINET.

The submission of the Member States reports and the accompanying water quality data by the 28 Member States were due in June 2016. However, only 12 Member States respected this deadline and for some of them relevant information was still missing and was reported later on. For 19 Member States missing or corrected information was submitted only in 2017. The complete set of information was only available to the Commission in October 2017.. In general the reports followed the layout of the Reporting guidelines (2012), but with significant variety in level of detail, completeness and quality.

-prohibition on the use of effluents and fertilisers after 1 November;

-obligation to distribute at least 2/3 of the quantity of nitrogen in effluents before 30 June of each year;

The report of the Italy has one dedicated chapter about the derogation. It describes the number of farms that apply for derogation, and it briefly describes the additional rules for these farmers:

-There must not be an exceedance of a surplus of 10 kg P/ha/year on a derogated holding.

-Crop rotation must not include leguminous or other plants fixing N except for grassland with less than 50% clover and to areas with cereals and peas undersown with grass.

-Farms with at least 80% grassland may apply annually for a derogation to permit application of up to 250 kg/ha/year N from grazing livestock manure.

The report of the United Kingdom briefly states the additional rules and criteria for farmers:

-these farms need to keep a fertilising plan, carry out periodic nitrogen and phosphate analyses of the soil, and asses the nitrogen contribution from organic matter mineralisation after ploughing grassland.

Ireland stated that farmers have to apply annually for a derogation, and have to comply with additional conditions related to the application of manure and other fertilisers and conditions related to land management.

The report of Flanders presents extensive descriptions of the additional rules for farmers. In short these additional rules are:

Denmark states that on agricultural holdings where at least 2/3 of the livestock are cattle, manure and degassed plant biomass may be applied in quantities corresponding to 2.3 livestock units per hectare per planning period when in compliance with certain conditions.

In general, derogation is mentioned briefly and inconsistently in the Article 10 reports of the relevant Member States. The focus is on the conditions for derogation and the specific rules that apply to farmers that are granted derogation.

Table 26 presents the situation concerning granted temporary derogations in place at the end of the year 2015.

The derogation is granted at request of a Member State by means of a Commission Implementing Decision and is subject to an opinion of the Nitrates Committee.

The Directive establishes a maximum annual limit of 170 kg N/ha from livestock manure that can be applied on land. The Directive envisages a possibility for a temporary derogation to this maximum amount, as long as this not prejudice the achievement of the objectives specified in Article 1. Derogations must be justified on the basis of objective criteria (for instance, long growing seasons, crops with high nitrogen uptake, high net precipitation, and soils with exceptionally high denitrification capacity).

Cost effectiveness was reported in various ways by Austria, Belgium-Flanders, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain-Catalonia. The results were either presented as costs per kg N not lost to groundwater, surface water or the sea, total national costs, costs per ha, investment costs. Costs per kg reduced N loss showed a huge variation from around zero to €160.

When reported, the proportion of infringements also showed a wide variation between countries and between measures, in a range of approximately 3% to 30%. The dominant types of infringements were related to manure storage capacity, on-field manure storage, fertiliser application near water courses, limitation on manure use and record keeping. Less frequently observed infringements were related to soil sampling, manure application techniques, crop rotation, cover crops in winter and manure analysis.

All but one (Greece) Member States reported on control of measures in the Action Programmes. In general the reports stated either the proportions of farms or the number of farms that were checked administratively or on-site, the type of farms (arable vs. livestock, or whole territory vs. NVZ ), and whether the controls were carried out as part of cross compliance or as part of a specific agro-environmental regulation. Most Member States specifically mentioned that controls were carried out at least at 1% of the farms under cross compliance. Additional control programs showed wide variations of checked farms.

The recent changes in Action Programmes are foremost related to the periods of land application of slurry and fertilizer and the storage capacity of animal manure. Other recurring changes relate to application of manure and fertilizers during unfavourable climatic conditions, on sloping areas and close to surface waters.

Most Member States, or regions within certain Member States (Spain: 11, Italy 14) have adopted a new or revised Action Programme during the reporting period 2012-2015. No revisions were reported by Cyprus, Germany, Estonia, Latvia and Malta. Austria did not report changes but stated that the Action Programme is under review and will be changed into a more regional approach with stricter measures for areas with a high risk on nitrate leaching. Greece did not report changes, but stated that it needs to draft Action Programmes for the new NVZs that were designated after 2010.

Member States are required to establish one or more action programmes that apply within designated vulnerable zones or to the whole territory. Action programmes include at least the measures referred to in Annexes II and III to the Directive and relating to periods when mineral and organic fertilizers application is prohibited, minimum required storage capacity for livestock manure, limitation of land application of fertilisers, and land application near waters and on slopes.

All Member States have established a Code of Good Agricultural Practice (CGAP). The CGAP is identical or almost identical to the Action Programme in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Luxemburg, the Netherlands and Slovenia. In most other Member States the CGAP apply voluntary to farmers outside NVZs. The actual uptake of the measures was reported by few Member States: Czech Republic stated 60% application for farmers outside NVZs, Estonia stated 65% of farmers apply all measures within the CGAP, and Spain stated 1 to 100% application outside NVZs, depending on the region. Other Member States did not report on the actual application of CGAP measures.

*** The values for EU-28 have been calculated taking into account the whole land area of countries applying an action programme to their territory in line with Art. 3(5) of the Nitrates Directive.

** Northern Ireland applies an action programme to its entire territory in line with Art. 3(5) of the Nitrates Directive. Northern Ireland whole surface (NUTS3) has been considered for the calculation of the NVZ in the United Kingdom.

* The Region of Flanders applies an action programme to its entire territory in line with Art. 3(5) of the Nitrates Directive. Flanders whole surface (NUTS 3) has been considered for the calculation of the NVZ in Belgium.

Table 25. Nitrate vulnerable zones in Member States and Member States applying an action programme to the whole national territory in line with Art. 3(5) of the Nitrates Directive (source: data provided by Member States to JRC).

Table 25 presents the 2012 and 2015 situation in relation to the implementation of Article 3 of the Nitrates Directive. The 2015 situation is also shown in Map 18 .

Including the Member States that apply whole territory approach, the total area of NVZ has increased since 2012, from 1,951,898 km2 to about 2,175,861 km2 in 2015.

The Directive gives the possibility to Member State not to identify specific vulnerable zones, if they establish and apply action programmes throughout their national territory (Article 3(5)). Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Romania, the Region of Flanders and Northern Ireland have followed this approach.

Under Article 3 of the Nitrates Directive, Member States are required to identify polluted waters or waters at risk of pollution, according to the criteria defined in Annex I to the Directive, and have to designate all areas that drain into identified waters and contribute to pollution as nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ).

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against polllution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

·total removal of phosphorus with the harvest and grazing of fodder (fodder from arable land, permanent and temporary pasture consumption);

The gross phosphorus balance is an agri-environmental indicator (AEI) calculated from the total inputs minus total outputs to the soil. The gross phosphorus balance per ha is derived by dividing the total gross phosphorus balance by the reference area. The reference area is the sum of arable land (L0001), permanent grassland (L0002) and land under permanent crops (L0003). Data on these areas can be found in Eurobase ( apro_cpp_luse )).

·total removal of nitrogen with the harvest and grazing of fodder (fodder from arable land, permanent and temporary pasture consumption);

The gross nitrogen balance is an agri-environmental indicator (AEI) calculated from the total inputs minus total outputs to the soil. The gross nitrogen balance per ha is derived by dividing the total gross nitrogen balance by the reference area. The reference area is the sum of arable land (L0001), permanent grassland (L0002) and land under permanent crops (L0003). Data on these areas can be found in Eurobase ( apro_cpp_luse ))

Agricultural area, abbreviated as AA, (or utilised agricultural area abbreviated as UAA) describes the area used for farming. It includes the land categories: arable land; permanent grassland; permanent crops; other agricultural land such as kitchen gardens (even if they only represent small areas of total UAA). The term does not include unused agricultural land, woodland and land occupied by buildings, farmyards, tracks, ponds, etc.

Sheep are domesticated animals of the species Ovis aries kept in flocks mainly for their wool or meat. Sheep (of all ages) are divided into: Breeding females – which are female sheep (called ewes) and other sheep - all sheep other than breeding females.

Poultry, in the context of European Union (EU) statistics, refers to domestic birds of the species: Gallus gallus (hens and chickens); Meleagris spp. (turkeys); Anas spp. and Cairina moschata (ducks); Anser anser dom. (geese); Coturnix spp. (quails); Phasianus spp. (pheasants); Numida meleagris dom. (guineafowl); Columbinae spp. (pigeons); Struthio camelus (ostriches). It excludes, however, birds raised in confinement for hunting purposes and not for meat production.

A pig is a domesticated animal of the species Sus. A distinction is made between pigs, piglets, fattening pigs and breeding pigs.

A dairy cow is a cow kept exclusively or principally for the production of milk for human consumption and/or other dairy produce, including cows for slaughter (whether fattened or not between last lactation and slaughter).

Cattle refers to domestic animals of the species Bos taurus (cattle and water buffalo Bubalus bubalis together are called bovines). A distinction can be made by the age of the animal (less than one year old, aged between one and two years, and two years and over), with a further division between male and female cattle. Female cattle aged two years and over is divided into heifers (that have not yet calved) and cows. The latter are further divided into dairy cows and others.

The livestock unit, abbreviated as LSU (or sometimes as LU), is a reference unit which facilitates the aggregation of livestock from various species and age as per convention, via the use of specific coefficients established initially on the basis of the nutritional or feed requirement of each type of animal (see table below for an overview of the most commonly used coefficients). The reference unit used for the calculation of livestock units (=1 LSU) is the grazing equivalent of one adult dairy cow producing 3,000 kg of milk annually, without additional concentrated foodstuffs.

The water quality parameters to assess the eutrophication status show a large variation between Member States. For fresh waters (rivers and lakes), the most used parameters (nearly 50% of Member States) are total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a. Other parameters that are used regularly (between 10 and 40% of Member States) are ortho-phosphate, total nitrogen, nitrate, plankton, phytobenthos and macrophytes. Parameters used occasionally (less than 10% of Member States) are ammonium, oxygen, organic matter, nitrite and transparency. For saline waters (mainly transitional and coastal waters), the most used parameters (10 to 25%) are total phosphorus, total nitrogen, nitrate, oxygen and chlorophyll-a. Parameters used occasionally (less than 10% of Member States) are ammonium, nitrite and macroalgae.

In some cases other classifications were used (Non Eutrophic, Non-eutrophic, No eutrophication, Unpolluted, Intermediate, May become eutrophic, Potential Eutrophic and Potentially Eutrophic). These data were only used for non-standard tables in the MS summary sheets.

Member States submit the ND eutrophication status of surface waters. Valid values are Ultra-oligotrophic, Oligotrophic, Mesotrophic, Eutrophic and Hypertrophic. Only if this set of values were reported, the eutrophication data was used for standardised processing of figures and maps in MS summary sheets and the SWD report. The standard processing includes the pie diagrams (figures 5 and 6) in the MS summary sheets and the frequency diagrams and maps in the SWD report.

Data from Flanders and Wallonia are aggregated to Belgium, and data from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are aggregated to United Kingdom.

Changes in an indicator (e.g. animal number or nutrient use) between the current and previous reporting period are calculated as follows:

Water quality data are classified into different categories in order to be presented in tables, figures and maps. The categories used to classify groundwater and surface water are presented in the following tables.

Figure 4 in the Member States summary sheets presents for fresh surface water (rivers and lakes) the trends of all stations common two the two periods ("All stations" pie chart).

Figure 2 in the Member States summary sheets presents for groundwater the trends of all stations common to the two periods ("All stations" pie chart).

Trends are presented for all those stations, and additionally trends are broken down over the annual average nitrate classes of the current reporting period.

Trends are calculated and submitted by Member States. Trends are calculated as the difference in the four-year average nitrate concentration between two consecutive reporting periods, for common monitoring stations of both reporting periods.

Member States submit an annual average nitrate concentration and the number of samples on which the annual average is based. The monitoring frequency is calculated as the sum of all samples taken during the reporting period divided by the total number of monitoring stations. The monitoring frequency was calculated for groundwater, fresh surface water and saline surface water stations.

The station density is calculated as the number of monitoring stations with annual average nitrate measurements per 1000 km2 of land. The land area was derived from Eurostat total landcover in the year 2012. The station density was calculated for groundwater and fresh surface water stations.

Figure 3 in the Member States summary sheets presents the percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all river and lake monitoring stations with measurements for each of the reporting periods (i.e. 2004-2007, 2008-2011 and 2012-2015) irrespective of possible changes in the Member States monitoring network over time.

Figure 1 in the Member States summary sheets presents the percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations with measurements at different depths for each of the reporting periods (i.e. 2004-2007, 2008-2011 and 2012-2015) irrespective of possible changes in the Member States monitoring network over time.

Annual nitrates average concentration presented in all figures, tables and maps of the SWD and Member States Summary Sheets are weighted averages. Nitrate concentrations in water are very variable in time. As the sampling programmes are not always balanced in time due to a varying number of samples per year, the four-year average nitrate concentrations may be affected by incidental extreme variations in nitrate concentrations. Therefore the four-year average is calculated as the weighted average in which each annual value is weighted according to the number of underlying samples.

The Member States summary sheets and the Staff Working Document (SWD) present tables and figures of the number of stations in the monitoring networks and the sampling density and frequency. These data are based on the number of monitoring stations for which average annual nitrate measurements are reported.

To be able to join the different tables with each other, the combination of CountryCode, ND_NatStatCode and ND_StationType should be unique and therefore a check on this uniqueness is included. For the tables GW_AnnConc and SW_AnnConc the combination of CountryCode, ND_NatStatCode, ND_StationType and ND_Year should be unique. For each unique combination it is checked whether there is a record in the other table(s). So, GW_Stat records are matched to records GW_AnnConc and GW_Conc and vice versa. SW_Stat records are matched to records in SW_AnnConc, SW_Conc, SW_EutroMeas and SW_EutroState.

The additional check also contains a check on the coordinates of the monitoring stations in GW_Stat and SW_Stat. The shapefile NUTS_2013_01M from Eurostat ( http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/gisco/geodata/reference-data/administrative-units-statistical-units/nuts ) is used to check if the monitoring stations are within (or close to, as the boundaries of this dataset do not have a high positional accuracy) the Member State.

The additional check is executed using FME Workbenches. In these workbenches there is a check on the availability of a value for each of the mandatory attributes and a check on the validity of the given values. The validity check looks for example at the datatype, minimum and maximum values, use of valid codes and the number of characters as defined in the dataset definition.

The water quality data and NVZ information follow the specific EIONET dataset definition ( http://dd.eionet.europa.eu/datasets/latest/NiD ). The data go through an automated EIONET check on the presence of mandatory elements, validity and correctness of codes and format of data types. An additional check is carried out on quality, completeness and coherence.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

Compliance with the Nitrates Directive is carried out as part of checks on agri-environmental subsidies. The results are reported for 2006, 2010 and 2014 in which 1%, 1% and 1.5% of the farmers were audited, respectively. The compliance in 2014 varied from 85% (manure analysis) to nearly 100%. Criteria to measure compliance good agricultural practice are reported for 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2014. However most of the criteria have not been reported in 2014 (the number of nitrogen analyses per 100 livestock producers, the winter vegetation and the distance to the watercourses).

The number of animals and cropping areas is given for the years 1990 to 2013. In the current Reporting period, the agricultural area is about 14,000 ha. There were 492 farms of which 174 had livestock. In the previous Reporting period (2008-2011) the number of farms was 564 of which 194 had livestock. There were 7 licensed farms (more than 150 livestock units).

According to the report the percentage of spring cereals has decreased in favour of cereals sown in the autumn, thus increasing the cover in the winter. Cultivation of crops which reduce nitrogen loss has increased, and also investments in manure-spreading technology have increased. However the number of hectares with grass has decreased in the period 1999-2015. Leasing of field has increased to about one-third, which tend to increase application rates of manure, and can result in lower utilization of nutrients by plants. Also the imports of animal feeds have increased in the last five years (2010-2014): 457, 460, 504, 527, 584 million kg feed.

The number of poultry increased by 31%. The number of cattle, pigs and others decreased by 2%, 9% and 5%, respectively. The nitrogen excretion changed accordingly. The annual use of nitrogen from livestock manure decreased by 3%, while the annual use of mineral N fertilizer decreased by 6%.

The basic information about agriculture is reported for 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014. The data in the current (2012-2015) and the previous Reporting period (2008-2011) are compared. The total agricultural area decreased by 1%. The total number of farmers decreased by 17% and the number of farmers with livestock decreased by 21%. Currently 31% of farmers have livestock.

Monitoring network used for reporting under nitrates directive covers the whole territory. Surface waters monitoring is presented only for monitoring locations affected by agriculture (178 stations). Groundwater monitoring is presented for both locations affected by agriculture (145 stations) and 59 background stations. The frequency of the monitoring of surface waters and groundwater are not described in the report, but are available by station and year in the submitted dataset.

The parameter used to characterize the trophic status for coastal waters was mainly chlorophyll-a, but total nitrogen and total phosphorus were also used. Trophic classification was checked against ecological status classification used in WFD reporting in 2016 to make sure that these two classifications are in line.

The parameters used to characterize the trophic status for rivers and lakes are total nitrogen and total phosphorus, and besides for lakes chlorophyll-a. Trophic classification was checked against ecological status classification used in WFD reporting in 2016 to make sure that these two classifications are in line.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values or equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.Note that only 3 stations were above 40 mg/L.

Estonia has designated 3,267 km2 as nitrate vulnerable zones, which is 7% of the total territory and 34% of the total agricultural area.

In the Pandivere and Adavere-Põltsamaa NVZ there are 1,382 farms of which 6% were visited on average each year. Except for the manure storage (84%), 100% of the farmers comply with the requirements.

The total agricultural area increased by 3%. Three-quarters of the total agricultural production of the country originates from only 5% of the total number of holdings which use more than half of the agricultural land. The total number of farms decreased by 2% and the number of livestock farms by 13%. Cattle and poultry numbers increased by 8% and 16%, respectively. The number of pigs decreased (3%). The annual use of nitrogen from animal manure has increased by 3%, and the amount of mineral N fertilizer by 12%. In NVZs, the area of permanent grassland increased by 19%.

A new national groundwater monitoring sub-programme for the current reporting period was completed in 2015. It resulted in fewer groundwater monitoring points in the NVZ (115 compared to 282). Given the higher agricultural load in the NVZ, the density and monitoring frequency (up to 4 times a year) of the network of NVZ monitoring points is greater than outside the NVZ. The sampling frequency of groundwater was 1 to 4 times a year. River sampling frequency varies from 4 to 12 times a year on the stations with “continuous” monitoring. River stations for “ecological status” monitoring are sampled less frequently (once every 6 years, 4 times a year). Lakes are sampled at least once every 6 years, but some are sampled annually (11 small lakes and 2 large lakes, 4-7 times a year). The monitoring of Estonian coastal waters is carried out in 16 different coastal water bodies; the four most affected bodies of coastal water are monitored annually and the other 12 once every six years on a rotational basis.

The eutrophication assessment of coastal water is based on the annual average total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations, and specific class boundaries are distinguished for six coastal water types. The WFD ecological classes are re-classified into four trophic states for ND reporting: no eutrophication, may become eutrophic, eutrophic, and hypertrophic.

The eutrophication assessment of rivers is based on the annual average total nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations. Limit values are specific for two river types (the third, a separate “large river” type is for Narva River) with specific class boundaries. The eutrophication assessment of lakes is based on the annual average total nitrogen, total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a concentrations. The eight different types of lakes are distinguished with specific class boundaries. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) ecological classes are re-classified into four trophic states for Nitrate Directive reporting: no eutrophication, may become eutrophic, eutrophic, and hypertrophic.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per l on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per l during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Besides the administrative controls (including an automated Fertilizer Accounting system), 1.9% of all agricultural holdings were visited. On nearly 10% of the visited farms (2014), the fertilizer accounts and fertilizer use were not compliant with regulations. Furthermore, 3% infringements were reported on the amount of livestock manure applied to land.

The total nitrogen discharge to the sea showed little change since RP5; the discharge from agriculture was not specified in detail but was estimated at 70% of the total.

The annual surplus of the national nitrogen field balance was reduced from around 405 Mt N in 1990 to around 220 Mt N in 2014, which corresponds to a reduction of more than 40%. The most significant reduction was observed until 2003. The N surplus per ha has been reduced from 128 kg N/ha in 1990 to 80 kg N/ha in 2014. Over the past three years (2012-2014), the N surplus was 83, 79, 80 kg N/ha, respectively.

The total agricultural area was slightly smaller (-2%) in the current Reporting period compared to the previous Reporting period. The number of farms decreased by 12% in that same period. Cattle and pig numbers decreased by 3% and 6%, respectively, whereas poultry numbers increased by 2%. The nitrogen excretion followed the changes in animal numbers. The use of nitrogen from manures decreased with 4% (10.000 t N) since the previous Reporting period, but this was partly compensated by a 3% increase (5.000 t N) in the use of mineral fertilizer nitrogen.

The groundwater monitoring programme is designed to monitor recent groundwater recharged since the 1940s. Implementation of the Water Framework Directive has required adjustments of the groundwater-monitoring network and thus some monitoring points used for previous Reporting period were closed and new ones were established in the last Reporting period. The adjustments were expected to be finalised in 2016, but delayed until mid-2017.

Furthermore the report present a map of maximum surface (0-10 m) nitrate concentrations for the Reporting period 2012 – 2015 at 58 stations in Danish estuarine, coastal and marine open waters. Based on the reporting guidelines, the report states that nitrate concentrations <2 mg/l are considered oligotrophic, between 2-10 mg/l mesotrophic, and > 10 mg/l eutrophic. The map shows 3 estuarine and coastal stations that are eutrophic, while the other estuarine and coastal stations are mainly mesotrophic. The marine open water stations are mostly oligotrophic.

The report uses the average summer concentrations of chlorophyll in surface waters (0-10 m) as a proxy for eutrophication in Danish estuarine, coastal and marine open waters. The report presents a map of chlorophyll concentrations, but does not present the eutrophication status of these waters. At no station did chlorophyll a concentration increase at any time – neither from RP5 to RP6, nor from RP2 to RP6. However, it is stated that chlorophyll cannot stand alone as a proxy for eutrophication as changes in other interrelated parameters like Secchi-depth, bottom water oxygen concentration, eelgrass cover and fauna biomass are also affected during eutrophication. In Denmark, the eutrophication status for coastal waters is officially based on the Water Framework Directive, i.e. based on the status for both chlorophyll, eelgrass depth limit and a benthic fauna index, DKI using the one out-all out principle. In the Danish River Basin Management Plans 2015-21, the environmental objectives are fulfilled for 2 out of 119 estuarine/coastal water bodies ( i.e. have good or high ecological status).

Figure 5. Fresh water (lakes only) ecological state during the previous reporting period and according to the latest River Basin Development Plans (RBMP 2016).Classification in the RP 2008-2011 has been based on the Chlorophyll a concentration for 200 monitored lakes, whereas the classification of the ecological states of 662 lakes in the RBMP 2016 has been based on available monitoring data for the quality elements chlorophyll a, phytoplankton, macrophytes and fish.

The uploaded data for lakes consist of monitoring data from 662 lakes, of which 25% were classified as high/good and 75% as moderate/bad/poor (second river basin management plan). If a similar approach would have been used as in the previous reporting periods, i.e. classifying eutrophication status in Danish lakes based on thresholds for chlorophyll concentration, the distribution of all previously reported lakes (196), also monitored during RP6, would have shown a comparable distribution as RP5 with 35% as “high/good” and 65% as “moderate/bad/poor”, respectively.

The data reported for the eutrophication status of Danish lakes is in accordance with the classification of the ecological state of lakes in the second (2015-2021) River Basin Management Plan (RBMP).

The classification of the ecological state of lakes is based on the quality elements chlorophyll, phytoplankton, macrophytes and fish. Lakes missing one or more quality elements (phytoplankton, macrophytes or fish) are downgraded from high/good to moderate ecological state, if summer mean nutrient levels exceed 0,080 mg P/l and 0,95 mg N/l (shallow lakes) or 0,042 mg P/l and 0,90 mg N/l (deep lakes).

Dissolved nutrients may have an effect on benthic algae and macrophytes. Denmark has not yet established a classification scheme for deriving faunal impacts of nutrient enrichment in water courses. Therefore, Denmark has focused its environmental monitoring in streams on organic matter indicators such as BOD. In Danish water courses there is no monitoring of secchi depth, chlorophyll or other impact indicators of eutrophication.

Eutrophication caused by excessive amounts of nutrients is mainly a problem in lakes, marine waters, and large, slowly flowing rivers. In small streams, the residence time of the water is too small generally for planktonic algae to become a problem. Thus, monitoring of eutrophication indicators such as chlorophyll concentration is in Denmark only relevant in lakes, coastal waters and large rivers.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

The nitrate vulnerable zones have been defined in 2003, and have been changed in 2007 and 2011. The proportion agricultural land in the NVZ relative to the total agricultural land in the Czech Republic increased from 43% in 2003 to 48% in 2007, and 49% in 2011. A recent review of NVZs was carried out in 2015, and consequently new NVZs have been declared in August 2016 (50,2 % of the agricultural area).

Measurable criteria to evaluate the impact of the Action Programme are presented for the entire territory. For the current Reporting period, the number of analyses of nitrogen in manure was 0.1 per 100 farmers, the fraction of cultivated land in winter without crop cover was 37%, the average distance of agricultural land to water bodies was 2 m, and the nitrogen balance surplus was 64 kg N/ha. These figures were almost similar for the previous Reporting period.

There are 18,432 farmers in NVZs, of which 70% have livestock. It is reported that 1% of the farmers are annually checked whereas in the previous period it was 2%. It is reported that nearly all visited farmers comply with the requirements of the Action Programme and the principles of good agricultural practice. The only measure where compliance is lower than 99%, is “manure storage on farmland before land application” which has a 94% compliance rate. In the previous Reporting period, compliance was always nearly 100%.

The area of the NVZs increased by 5% between the previous and current period while the agricultural land available for application of manure remained constant (17,000 km2). In NVZs, the number of farms and of farms with livestock both decreased by 18%. The number of cattle, pigs, and poultry in NVZs increased by 8%, 4% and 6%, respectively. As a result of this increase in animal numbers, the annual use of N from livestock manure increased by 7% in the NVZs.

The use of animal manure N decreased by 9% while the use of mineral N fertilizer increased by 13%. The decrease of animal manure use is partly related to the increase of biogas plants (400 plants in 2015) which results in increasing production of digestate.

The agricultural land available for manure is 80% of the total agricultural area in the Czech Republic and decreased by 6% in 2015, compared to 2011. The permanent grassland area was 24% of the total agricultural area in 2015 and increased slightly (+1%) compared to 2011. The area of perennial crops did not change. The area of legumes increased by 6%. The total number of farms increased by 13% while the number of farms with livestock decreased by 3%. The numbers of cattle and poultry increased by 5% and 6%, respectively while the number of pigs decreased by 11% .

The Czech Republic reports statistical data of the year 2011 to represent the previous Reporting period, and the year 2015 to represent the current Reporting period (thus no 4-year averages). The total agricultural area has remained almost constant between 2015 and 2011.

Water and agriculture monitoring is organised by the Water Research Institute (VÚV) and the Crop Research Institute (VÚRV). Surface water quality data are derived from the five state river basin management enterprises (previously from the Agricultural Water Management Administration) and groundwater data from the ČHMÚ (Czech Hydrometeorological Institute) observation network.

Eutrophication assessment consisted almost exclusively of an assessment of the concentration of total phosphorus. Assessment of other indicators, such as chlorophyll-a, oxygen saturation and pH changes, was used only in cases where the assessment based on the total phosphorus fluctuated significantly year by year, and it was necessary to verify the level of eutrophication using other indicators. The trophic level of the surface waters are assessed using the distinctions between ultraoligo-, oligo-, meso-, eutro- and hypertrophic are 0.01, 0.035, 0.1 and 0.2 mg/l total phosphorus.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

The coastal zone of South-eastern Mesaoria is designated as a zone under examination (no further details are reported). Furthermore, it was decided that part of the Pentaschoinos river basin, covering a total area of 9 km2, will be proposed as a new vulnerable zone.

Cyprus’ NVZs covered 444 km2, which is 8% of the territory. This included the latest extension in 2011 of 25 km2.

Controls are either carried out as administrative controls (cross-compliance) or on-site checks. In 2012, 65 farms were checked, with no penalties imposed. For 2013 and 2014 these figures were 167 (10 penalties) and 194 (2 penalties), respectively. In both Reporting periods, compliance with the Action Programme varied between 70% (manure storage and collection capacity) and 100%. During the current Reporting period soil nitrate sampling has ceased.

The reported nitrogen excretion from animals in NVZs was not completed for all NVZs and showed large changes between the current and previous Reporting period. For those NVZs that reported data, the nitrogen excretion of cattle (-29%) and pigs (-82%) decreased, while the nitrogen excretion from poultry increased more than threefold.

When comparing the current Reporting period with the previous Reporting period, there were little changes in the total agricultural area and pasture and permanent crops area. Cattle numbers increased by 4%, while pig (-18%) and poultry (-15%) showed significant reductions. The use of nitrogen from manures decreased with 10%, and mineral nitrogen fertiliser use decreased by 6%.

Three new surface water stations were added in the current Reporting period compared to the previous Reporting period, to assess the river basin located in the Orounta region, which is identified as NVZ. Two stations were removed from the coastal monitoring network as they were in close distance to other stations and because the required use of a craft to access the specific locations was not considered to be cost and time effective.

The report states that all coastal waters have an average annual concentration of nitrate and phosphate below 2 mg/L and annual average chlorophyll-a concentration below 2 g/L.

Cyprus did not report on the trophic status of inland surface waters in the Reporting period 2008-2011.

Notwithstanding the above doubts about a reliable eutrophication assessment, total phosphorus and orthophosphate analyses were used to classify fresh surface waters according to the ND trophic methodology. Surface waters were considered to be eutrophic, above 0.15 mg P/L or above 0.1 mg ortho-P/L.

The report states that it is not possible to create a reliable eutrophication assessment model due to the intense flow fluctuation of surface waters and the extreme climate of Cyprus. In addition to nitrate analyses, a number of other analyses were carried out regarding other eutrophication parameters, e.g. biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total nitrogen (N-tot), total phosphorus (P-tot) and orthophosphate (P-PO4).

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

There were 23,648 farmers in the NVZ, of which 4,036 had livestock. The proportion of farms visited in the current reporting period was 1% per year (cross compliance). According to the report 1% of the controlled farmers meet the requirements of the Action Programme.

In the current Reporting period (2012-2015), the total agricultural area was 27,872 km2, of which 40% was permanent grassland. There were 176,276 farmers, of which 29% keep livestock. The number of cattle, pigs and poultry was 0.5, 1.5 and 12.9 million, respectively. The gross nitrogen balance for Croatia (OECD) was 27.5 and 30.3 kg N/ha in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

The competent authority for carrying out the monitoring is the Croatian water management company. Water monitoring is only carried out inside the NVZs. The frequency of the monitoring is not reported. The first Action Program has been introduced in the country in 2013. The assessments of implementation and effect of measures of the 1st Action programme are currently not available due to the relatively short period of implementing the Programme.

The evaluation methodology for the trophic status, which was also used during the process of identification of vulnerable zones in Croatia, uses total phosphorus for rivers and total phosphorus and chlorophyll-a for lakes and reservoirs.

The report states that surface water monitoring is only carried out inside NVZs (nevertheless two surface water stations are located outside the NVZ).

Figure 2. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

This is the first report from Croatia. Therefore it does not contain information about previous periods or trends.

The nitrate vulnerable areas (NVZ) have been defined firstly in 2003, and have been changed in 2007 and 2011. The current NVZ area is 38,352 km2, which is 34.5% of the total territory and 72% of the agricultural area. No changes have been made in the current reporting period.

The total number of checks in the reporting period was 7,729 of which 4,360 took place in the NVZ. The inspections of farms are carried out in the framework of cross compliance and compliance with the Programme of Measures for Limiting and Preventing Pollution Caused by Nitrates (Action Programme).

When comparing the current Reporting period with the previous Reporting period, the total agricultural area decreased by 4%. The agricultural land available for manure spreading is 95% of the agricultural land, and remained constant. The permanent grassland area is 27% of the total agricultural area, but decreased by 17%. The area of perennial crops is 3% of the total agricultural land and decreased by 18%. The use of manure N increased by 7% and the use of mineral N fertilizer increased by 3%. The total number of farms decreased by 31%, while the number of farms with livestock decreased by 34%. The numbers of cattle remained constant, while the number of pigs and poultry decreased by 19% and 15%, respectively. The changes in nitrogen excretion from livestock followed the same pattern.

The frequency of surface water monitoring varies between 2 and 12 times a year. Nitrate is measured 12, 12 and 4 times a year for rivers, lakes and coastal waters, respectively. The frequency of groundwater sampling was not reported.

Eutrophication assessment of coastal water was performed using the concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll-a. The eutrophication classification is based on the worst value of the eutrophication parameters

Eutrophication assessment of rivers was performed using the concentrations of nitrate and ortho-phosphate. For lakes eutrophication assessment was performed using the concentrations of nitrate, total-phosphate, chlorophyll-a and transparency (Secchi-disc). The classification is carried out according to the OECD method.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Longer term trends (2003-2011) show increasing concentrations of chlorophyll, but this is attributed to hydrometeorological variations. Long term (1990-2014) trends for nitrogen concentrations show a reduction, but with large inter annual variations. For phosphorus, the concentrations are rather stable.

There are ten monitoring stations used for OSPAR and WFD monitoring. Three of these stations are used for eutrophication assessment, and are analysed on chlorophyll, total nitrogen and phosphorus and the N/P ratio. For phytoplankton, the threshold value for a good ecological status is 15 µg/l (chlorophyll P90 during the growing season, for a period of six years). Between 2009-2014 the average value was 17 µg/l (moderate status). The threshold values for nitrogen and phosphorus are 15 and 0.8 µmol/l, respectively. During the period 2009-2014, the overall average values were 29.8 and 0.8 µmol/l, respectively (moderate status). Nitrogen concentrations were consistently higher than the threshold value, whereas phosphorus concentrations were lower than the threshold in 2011 and 2014.

The Belgian Federal report presents the water quality of coastal and marine waters. The nitrogen (winter concentration) sources for the Belgian coastal waters are the Schelde and small Belgian rivers (28%), Rijn and Maas (17%), Seine and other French rivers (9%) and Thames (<1%) rivers, western and northern Atlantic waters (27%), and atmospheric deposition (19%). Nitrogen and phosphorus loads from the Belgian territory to the coastal waters are pre-dominantly coming from the Schelde (80%).

The nitrate concentration is less than 2 mg/l for all coastal and marine stations.

Wallonia’s NVZs covered 9,596 km2, which is 57% of the territory and 69% of the utilised agricultural area. In 2013, the NVZ was extended from 7,072 to 9,596 km2 (+36%). The Wallonia report states that some errors in codes of NVZs have been corrected since the last reporting period (some monitoring stations were allocated to the wrong NVZ).

In addition to cross compliance checks, the authorities measure nitrate in the soil (APL: potential leachable nitrogen) of three fields per farm on 5% of the farms in NVZs. The proportion of samples that were compliant with the soil- and crop-specific reference levels varied between 82 and 87% for the 2012-2015 period.

The proportion of farms visited in the current reporting period was 1% (cross compliance). The proportion of compliance varied from 82 to 97% for the several measures in the Code of Good Agricultural Practice, and from 89 to 100% for the AP. Most infringements were related to storage capacity and the limitation of 170 kg N/ha from livestock manure.

Long-term (past 15 to 25 years) statistical and modelling analysis of national nitrogen and phosphorus flows have been included in the report, and show consistent reductions in nutrient inputs, nutrient surpluses and discharges to water bodies. The main developments in agriculture that are considered to be favourable for the reduction of nitrogen losses are a high participation in agri-environmental measures (eg. natural grassland, hedges, extensive cropping), a lower use of mineral fertilizers, and an increasing number of soil and manure analyses to support nutrient efficient farm management. An unfavourable development is the increasing proportion of temporary grasslands.

The total agricultural area remained stable, but there was a shift from pasture (-12%) to arable land (+12%). The use of organic nitrogen from manures decreased with 5%, while there was a 5% increase of mineral fertilizer nitrogen. Cattle, pig and poultry numbers decreased by 5%, 6% and 2%, respectively.

Water monitoring is organised by the Direction Générale Opérationnelle Agriculture, Ressources naturelles et Environnement (DGARNE). Water quality data are coming directly from measurements of DGARNE (30%) and from drinking water producers (70%). There is a large variation in monitoring frequency, from once every four years for small catchments to 12 per year for large catchments. The ND and WFD monitoring network have been standardized so that the same monitoring stations are used. 33 stations were removed from the network for various reasons such as inaccessibility, retirement of drinking water production and inconsistency of some results.

For dam reservoirs, Wallonia classifies the eutrophication status in two classes, i.e. “good or better” and “average or worse”, with a threshold value of 25 µg/L for chlorophyll-a. The methodology is currently being revised according to WFD standards, but not implemented yet. The Walloon authorities report that 11 out of the 12 dam reservoirs were classified as “good or better” in the previous and current Reporting period.

Eutrophication in rivers is assessed according to the WFD methodology, using annual average orthophosphate and total phosphate concentrations of rivers. Wallonia applies two type-specific threshold values for eutrophication, depending on slope, location, size and soil type.

The Walloon authorities report that average nitrate concentrations in dam reservoirs (2014) are always lower than 10 mg/L.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

The fresh surface water stations are located in rivers, including dam reservoirs. Dam reservoirs are considered as ‘heavily modified rivers’ under Water Framework Directive (WFD) classification.

Flanders adopts a whole territory approach (13,522 km2). Since 2011, Flanders uses focus areas to indicate areas with poor surface water quality (based on the evaluation of the exceedance of the threshold of 50 mg nitrate per L) or poor groundwater quality (based on the evaluation of the zonal groundwater goals by means of a trend analysis in relation to the threshold of 50 mg nitrate per L). The focus areas are designated on an annual basis. The total focus area comprised 265,000 ha in 2011-2012, and 238,000 ha in 2015.

Annual average soil nitrate residues (90 cm) in autumn were on average between 52 and 66 kg N/ha for the 2012-2015 period, compared to 66 to 90 kg N/ha for the 2008-2011 period. The longer term trend, since 2004, also shows a gradual decline in residual nitrate. The amount of treated and exported manure has increased from 16 kt N in 2007 to 39 kt N in 2014, which was mainly caused by an increasing amount of treated pig manure and exported poultry manure. The total area of farmland under agro-environmental schemes that contribute to decreased nutrient loads to ground- and surfacewaters increased from around 18,000 ha in 2000 to around 34,000 ha in 2010. Since then the area under agreements has decreased again until 23,000 ha in 2014.

The number of annual controls on manure and fertiliser application between 2012-2015 varied from 633 to 1,909 with 10 to 15% infringements. The main infringements were on low emission application technique, application near water courses and on-field manure storage (which is prohibited during the winter). Other controls focused on illegal discharge of manures (66 to 100 annual controls with 38 to 49% infringements), manure transport (1,240 to 1,577 annual controls with 7 to 15% infringements).

The total agricultural area remained stable since the previous reporting period, with a small reduction of permanent pasture (-4%) and small increase of perennial crops (+4%). Farm numbers continued to decrease, 5% in the current reporting period, compared to the previous reporting period. The use of nitrogen from manures decreased with 5%, while the use of mineral fertilizers remained at the same level. Cattle numbers decreased slightly (-2%), while pig and poultry numbers increased by 3% and 14%, respectively. Longer term trends, since 1996, show gradual decreases in the number of cattle. Pigs and poultry showed a decrease until reporting period 3 (2004-2007), but increased again since then. This increase is due to the possibility to extend the farm size in combination with proven manure treatment and export. The total nitrogen excretion from cattle and pigs remained almost stable, while the excretion from poultry increased by 14%. The increased manure production did not create additional agricultural pressure on soils as it needed to be processed and exported.

The current groundwater monitoring network is used since 2004, with currently around 2,100 monitoring sites in the agricultural areas of Flanders. All sites are sampled twice a year. Flanders has developed a system of 38 Hydrological Homogeneous Zones, which indicates the potential sensitivity for nitrate leaching. The density of monitoring sites is related to the sensitivity for nitrate leaching, and varies from 200 ha of agricultural land per monitoring point in most sensitive areas to 1,133 ha of agricultural land per monitoring point for the least sensitive areas.

Surface water monitoring is organised by the Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij, which maintains a specific agricultural network of approximately 800 sites in areas with predominantly agricultural pollution sources. Each site is sampled once a month on nitrate. Sites with consistent low values are only sampled three times a year. Since 2007, the surface water monitoring network was extended within the WFD framework with some 240 additional stations that are monitored for a range of eutrophication parameters.

Transitional waters are assessed with winter average concentrations of nitrate, nitrite and ammonium. Eutrophication of coastal and marine waters is reported by the federal authorities.

Eutrophication in rivers and lakes is assessed according to the WFD methodology, using summer average total phosphorus concentrations. The threshold values depend on the water category; Flanders distinguishes two river and five lake categories.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations (rivers only) with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water (rivers only) nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

All farms that receive payments under CAP are checked administratively whether they comply with the nitrogen standard of 170 kg/ha per year. Out of these farms at least 1% of the farms are checked on site. Additional controls were carried out on nearly 10% of the farms within the agro-environmental ÖPUL program, which includes approximately 85% of the agricultural area, excluding mountain pastures. For the ÖPUL measures on soil and water quality the proportion of infringement was 2.6%, which were mainly classified as light infringements (details were not reported).

The gross nitrogen balance (OECD) was 32 kg/ha for the 2012-2014 period, which is slightly up from the previous 2008-2011 period at 28 kg/ha. The annual trend from 2007 onwards shows a more or less stable trend with some annual variation.

Due to the high proportion of extensively used mountain pastures, the report also presents nitrogen use, excluding the mountain pastures. The annual use of nitrogen from livestock is 60 kg (including mountain pastures) and 74 kg (excluding mountain pastures) N/ha. For mineral nitrogen these figures are 99 and 121 kg N/ha, respectively.

The total agricultural area decreased by 5% between 2013 and 2010, mainly due to the smaller area of permanent grassland. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of cattle and pigs decreased by 3% and 8%, respectively, while the number of poultry increased by 7%. This is also represented by the nitrogen excretion which shows similar small changes. The annual use of nitrogen from livestock decreased by 4% between 2010 and 2013, while the use of mineral fertilizer nitrogen increased by 3%.

Approximately 50% of the groundwater monitoring network is located in agricultural areas, but this varies per region. In general, regions with a high environmental risk (nutrients pressure by agriculture or environmental pressure from other sources) have a higher station density than regions with a low environmental risk. The groundwater stations are sampled four times a year, but the frequency may decrease to one or two samples a year when there is only a small risk that the water quality standards are not met.

The Austrian monitoring network was adapted to the WFD guidelines in 2006. Depending on the objective, three types of monitoring are distinguished: overview, operational and specific research. Rivers are sampled monthly on physical and chemical parameters, and every three years once per year on biological parameters. Lakes are sampled every three months on physical, chemical parameters and phytoplankton, and every six years on other biological parameters.

The trophic state of lakes is based on phytoplankton, according to the WFD methodology. The assessment for the current reporting period is based on the data covering 2012-2014. The ecological status was reclassified to trophic status in a similar manner as described above for rivers.

Eutrophication in rivers is assessed with the biological quality parameter phytobenthos, using the Water Framework Directive (WFD) classification. For this reporting period, data covering 2013-2015 were used. For the previous reporting period, data covering 2010-2012 were used. The WFD classification was derived from the comparison of the current ecological status with the trophic ground state (region specific reference state). The Nitrate Directive classification considers the trophic state only without reference to the trophic ground state. It distinguishes oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic.

Figure 3. Percentage of fresh surface water stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L on average during 2012-2015 and the previous reporting periods.

Figure 4. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in fresh surface water nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

Figure 1. Percentage of groundwater stations with average values equal to or exceeding 25, 40 or 50 mg nitrate per L during the current and previous reporting periods. Results are presented for all groundwater stations (at different depths).

Figure 2. Percentage of stations with decreasing, stable or increasing trends in average groundwater nitrate concentrations between the reporting periods 2008-2011 and 2012-2015.

As regards nitrates vulnerable zones, unless otherwise specified in the text, the figures refer to the designations in force at end of 2015.

The information on pressure from agriculture in the Member States summary sheets (including animal numbers and mineral and manure N use) is based on the written reports submitted by Member States. However, in order to ensure comparability among Member States and to provide a reference for EU, Eurostat data have also been used in the Commission report .

It is to be noted that both comparability across EU Member States and between reporting periods has to be considered indicative for several reasons. For instance, Member States have used different methodologies for the assessment of the trophic status and, in some cases, for a given Member State the methodology used changed between the 2008-2011 and 2012-2015 reporting periods. In addition, information on reference conditions is needed to provide a complete picture on eutrophication. Moreover, the monitoring networks set by the Member States have also been submitted to different degree of changes since the previous reporting period.

Unless otherwise specified, all information on water quality is based on the analysis of the digital data provided by Member States. Section VII includes a Methodological Annex providing details on the methodology followed to estimate the figures presented in the Member States Summary Sheets.

In this section Member States summary sheets are presented, including information on water quality and trends, as well as main highlights on pressures from agriculture, nitrate vulnerable zones and controls of compliance with the measures in the action programmes.

on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member State reports for the period 2012-2015

Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Brussels, 4.5.2018 SWD(2018) 246 final COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources based on Member States reports for the period 2012-2015 {COM(2018) 257 final}



Member State: France Water quality Water monitoring stations Description Stations with measurements Stations with trends Total groundwater stations 2598 2094 Total fresh surface water stations 3390 2897 Total saline surface water stations 8 3 Table 1. Number of water monitoring stations Groundwater quality Nitrates concentration Trends in nitrates concentration



The report presents a comparison between the first (1992-1993) and last campaign (2014-2015). Overall, 49% of the monitoring stations showed an increase in average nitrate concentration while 42% of the stations showed a decrease. In NVZs, 53% of the monitoring stations showed an increase in average nitrate concentration. Outside NVZs, only 20% of the stations showed an increasing trend, while 56% showed a decreasing trend.

The average nitrate concentration in overseas areas of the French territory (Guadeloupe, Reunion, Martinique, French Guiana) was always lower than 40 mg/L.



Surface water quality Nitrates concentration Trends in nitrates concentration The report presents a comparison between the first (1992-1993) and last campaign (2014-2015). Overall, 44% of the monitoring stations showed an increase in average nitrate concentration while 35% of the stations showed a decrease. In NVZs, 49% of the monitoring stations showed an increase in average nitrate concentration. Outside NVZs, 27% of the stations showed an increasing trend. The average nitrate concentration in overseas areas of the French territory was lower than 10 mg/L for 99% of the stations. Eutrophication Fresh waters In 2015, France launched a collective scientific exercise that aims to provide an understanding of causes and consequences of eutrophication phenomena. Until the results of this study are available, France retains a threshold of 18 mg nitrate per L (90% percentile) to identify vulnerable zones for eutrophication. The report presents maps for the 90 percentile above 18 mg/L for 2014-2015 and 2010-2011. Most stations above the threshold are located inside NVZs, whereas less than 2.5% of stations are outside NVZs. The report further presents results of total phosphorus, orthophosphate, BOD5, dissolved oxygen, nitrites, and chlorophyll-a for rivers. The report concludes that eutrophication in fresh waters is only a minor problem, similar to the previous Reporting period. Saline waters

Eutrophication parameters are measured in several networks such as REPHY (phytoplankton and phytotoxins), CEVA/RCS (opportunistic macroalgae), OSPAR monitor