SITUATION, STRATEGIES AND BMPS TO CONTROL AGRICULTURAL NPS POLLUTION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION

摘要

Although signifi cant improvements in water quality have been achieved in Europe over thelast two decades, water quality status is still below desirable levels in many locations. As inmany other regions around the world, nonpoint source pollution from agricultural landscapesremains the key cause of water quality problems in many parts of Europe due to nitrogensurplus, and, in some countries, losses of phosphorus. A variety of physical, managerial,fi nancial, and political tools exist for addressing nonpoint source pollution from agriculturalsources. However, for these to be most effective, they must be applied to areas that arecausing the biggest problems. Even then, water resource managers face diffi culties in cajolinglandowners to adopt the necessary actions, particularly if the effects of such actions to enhanceproductivity do not exist (or are not apparent). And, as shown by trends in groundwaterquality data, there may be signifi cant delays in observable water quality improvements afteraction has been taken. These delays in the response times of natural systems will furtherchallenge the willpower of governments at all levels (from local to national) to provide thefi nancial and human resources necessary to combat diffuse pollution. Consequently, theremust be continued close cooperation between researchers seeking new control strategies,government agencies that fund such research and fi nance implementation, and landownerswho must adopt the measures.