Agricultural nitrogen use in selected EU countries. A comparison of N recommendations, and restrictions in response to the EU Nitrates Directive

The use of N in EU countries is subject to constraints as given in the Nitrates Directive (ND). Member states must define Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (voluntary measures) for their whole national territory, as well as designate Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZs) where the risk of nitrate pollution would be high if actions prescribed in the ND were not taken. With specific reference to the designated NVZs, so-called Action Programs (APs) have to be established which contain mandatory measures in order to meet the objectives of the ND. For some countries, APs include N-application standards... Mehr ...