WRITTEN QUESTION E-0593/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. 1991 Nitrates Directive.
Date: 2002-03-06
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EC Directive, application of EU law, chemical salt, national implementing measure, pollution from agricultural sources, water pollution

26.9.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 229 E/109

(2002/C 229 E/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0593/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(6 March 2002)

Subject: 1991 Nitrates Directive

What has been the Commission’s experience of the 1991 Nitrates Directive with regard to compliance
with and the success of the measure? Has any new scientific evidence emerged? Does the Commission
intend to review and, perhaps amend, the provisions thereof?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(30 April 2002)

The experience of the Commission with regard to the implementation of the ‘Nitrates’ Directive, Council
Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused
by nitrates from agricultural sources (1), has been addressed in a number of documents including:

- A synthetic report (in two parts) to the Parliament and Council, published in 1998 (2);

- The Commission’s response to the Resolution of

the Parliament

(2000/2110/INI) adopted on

17 January 2001 on this subject.

In addition, a second Commission report synthesising the results of the second water quality monitoring
period (1996-1998), the issue of vulnerable zones designation (up to 2001), a review of the first national
action programmes contents and the actions of the Commission for a better implementation, will be
presented officially to the Parliament and Council in the course of 2002.

A general statement can be made that, the first Action Programmes were published too late by Member
States and that their mandatory measures were generally insufficient. A significant improvement can be
noticed in the second Action Programmes and in the extent of designated vulnerable zones (which now
cover 40 % of the Community area).

Some measures have already given positive results in different Community regions, although a delay of
several years is necessary between application of measures at soil level and real impact in neighbouring
waters. It is clear from the progress made by some Member States such as Denmark that it is perfectly
achievable to reconcile intensive livestock production with respect of
the Nitrates Directive. The
Commission intends to continue working with the Member States to promote best practice and to ensure
the effective implementation of the Directive across the Community. At present, the Commission does not
consider it necessary or appropriate to bring forward proposals for amending the directive.

(1) OJ L 375, 31.12.1991.
(2) COM(98) 16 final.

(2002/C 229 E/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0602/02

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: EU-Algeria negotiations for an association agreement

(6 March 2002)

The EU is currently in process of negotiation with Algeria with a view to establishing an association
agreement with that southern Mediterranean country.

The Barcelona Declaration of 1995 underlined the need to respect human rights and fundamental
freedoms, to be treated as key criteria in international negotiations.