Nitrates Directive

Directive No. 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, called "Nitrates Directive". It aims to reduce water pollution caused or induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and prevent further pollution of this kind. It includes: the designation of nitrate vulnerable zones; the establishment of one or more codes of good agricultural practice (CGAP) (use of nitrogen fertilizers and land management) implemented on a voluntary basis by farmers; the development of mandatory's actions programs (yearly schedules limiting or forbidding manure spreading, limits to the amounts of nitrogen used, management of periods between crop rotations, etc.) for vulnerable zones and including the mandatory measures listed in the CGAP(s); the implementation of a monitoring programme regarding water quality with respect to nitrate concentrations and eutrophication levels.