The effect of EU derogation strategies on the compliance costs of the nitrate directive

Straeten, Bart Van der; Buysse, Jeroen; Nolte, Stephan; Lauwers, Ludwig; Claeys, Dakerlia; Huylenbroeck, Guido Van

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.01.019

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The EU Nitrates Directive currently limits the amount of N from organic sources that can be applied to land to 170 kg of N/ha per year (European Union, 1991). National governments can ask for derogation and permit higher organic N application rates under certain conditions if they demonstrate no adverse effect on water quality (Van der Straeten et al, 2012). Although there is no European directive regarding P application in agriculture, some European countries and regions restrict P fertilization via national or regional legislation (Amery and Schoumans, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mass balances of dairy farms in New York State

Cela

Ketterings

Czymmek

et al. 2014

Journal of Dairy Science

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A whole-farm nutrient mass balance (NMB) is a useful measure of the nutrient status of a dairy farm. Research is needed to define and determine a feasible NMB range for dairy farm systems in New York State (NY). The objectives of this study were to (1) document the distribution of N, P, and K mass balances of 102 NY dairy farms (including 75 small, 15 medium, and 12 large farms); (2) establish initial NMB benchmarks based on what 75% of the farms achieved; (3) determine the maximum animal density that allows an example NY dairy farm to balance cow P excretions and crop P removal without exporting crops or manure; and (4) identify opportunities to improve NMB over time. Nutrient mass balances of the 102 farms ranged from -39 to 237 kg of N/ha for N without including N2 fixation (N1), from -14 to 259 kg of N/ha when N2 fixation was included (N2), from -7 to 51 kg of P/ha, and from -46 to 148 kg of K/ha. Seventy-five percent of the farms were operating at NMB less than 118 kg of N/ha for N1, 146 kg of N/ha for N2, 13 kg of P/ha, and 41 kg of K/ha (75% benchmarks). Farms with the highest nutrient use efficiencies (lowest NMB per unit of milk produced) operated with less than 8.8 kg of N/Mg of milk for N1, 11.8 kg of N/Mg of milk for N2, 1.1 kg of P/Mg of milk, and 3.0 kg of K/Mg of milk. The biggest contributor to the NMB was the amount of imported nutrients, primarily feed purchases. The example farm assessment (assuming no export of crops or manure) suggested that, when 70% of the feed is produced on the farm and P in feed rations does not exceed 4 g of P/kg of DM, cow P excretion and crop P removal were balanced at a maximum animal density of 2.4 animal units (AU)/ha (~0.97 AU/acre). Dairy farms operating with animal densities <2.4 AU/ha typically had NMB below the 75% benchmark, whereas most dairies with more than 2.4 AU/ha needed to export manure or crops to meet the 75% benchmark. Opportunities to reduce NMB on many farms, independent of size and without changes in animal density, are possible by more tightly managing fertilizer and feed imports, increasing the percentage of farm-produced nutrients, implementing precision feeding, and exporting crops or manure.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mass balances of dairy farms in New York State

Cela

Ketterings

Czymmek

et al. 2014

Journal of Dairy Science

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“…There are still many gaps in the basic measures that have been put in place by member states to address agricultural pressures, including a lack of measures to control phosphate and nitrate emissions outside nitrate vulnerable zones established under the ND [19] and within and outside of the drinking water protection areas. Additional loopholes are that member states have the opportunity to apply for derogation within ND (e.g., a manure application rate that contains more than 170 kg nitrogen (N) per ha under certain conditions) or in the interpretation of the nitrogen application limit (e.g., adding gaseous losses of nitrogen on top of the general limit) [23]. These gaps leave us with the belief that, due to political reasons, individual member states or regions are avoiding or postponing actions that would lead to solving the water quality problem.…”

Section: Desk Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

How to Enhance the Role of Science in European Union Policy Making and Implementation: The Case of Agricultural Impacts on Drinking Water Quality

Glavan

Železnikar

Velthof

et al. 2019

Water

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Throughout the European Union (EU), high concentrations of nitrates and pesticides are among the major polluting components of drinking water and have potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health. Many research projects co-funded by the European Commission have been carried out, but the results often do not influence policy making and implementation to the extent that is duly justified. This paper assesses several issues and barriers that weaken the role of science in EU policy making and EU policy implementation in the case of agricultural impacts on drinking water quality. It then proposes improvements and solutions to strengthen the role of science in this process. The analysis is conceptual but supported empirically by a desk study, a workshop, and complementary individual interviews, mostly with representatives of organizations working at the EU level. The results indicate that perceived barriers are mostly observed on the national or regional level and are connected with a lack of political will, scarce instruction on the legislation implementation process, and a lack of funding opportunities for science to be included in policy making and further EU policy implementation. In response to that, we suggest translating scientific knowledge on technological, practical or environmental changes and using dissemination techniques for specific audiences and in local languages. Further, the relationship between data, information and decision making needs to change by implementing monitoring in real-time, which will allow for the quick adaptation of strategies. In addition, we suggest project clustering (science, policy, stakeholders, and citizens) to make science and research more connected to current policy challenges and stakeholder needs along with citizen involvement with an aim of establishing sustainable long-term relationships and communication flows.

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“…It was reduced by a series of environmental policies, such as Nitrates Directive within the EU [9,10]. Reducing the nitrogen application and improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) is necessary for agricultural sustainability [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physiological and Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Insights into Low Nitrogen Stress in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

Chen,

Qin,

et al. 2023

IJMS

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Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv) is an important food and forage crop that is well adapted to nutrient-poor soils. However, our understanding of how different LN-tolerant foxtail millet varieties adapt to long-term low nitrogen (LN) stress at the physiological and molecular levels remains limited. In this study, two foxtail millet varieties with contrasting LN tolerance properties were investigated through analyses of physiological parameters and transcriptomics. The physiological results indicate that JG20 (high tolerance to LN) exhibited superior biomass accumulation both in its shoots and roots, and higher nitrogen content, soluble sugar concentration, soluble protein concentration, zeatin concentration in shoot, and lower soluble sugar and soluble protein concentration in its roots compared to JG22 (sensitive to LN) under LN, this indicated that the LN-tolerant foxtail millet variety can allocate more functional substance to its shoots to sustain aboveground growth and maintain high root activity by utilizing low soluble sugar and protein under LN conditions. In the transcriptomics analysis, JG20 exhibited a greater number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared to JG22 in both its shoots and roots in response to LN stress. These LN-responsive genes were enriched in glycolysis metabolism, photosynthesis, hormone metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. Furthermore, in the shoots, the glutamine synthetase gene SiGS5, chlorophyll apoprotein of photosystem II gene SiPsbQ, ATP synthase subunit gene Sib, zeatin synthesis genes SiAHP1, and aldose 1-epimerase gene SiAEP, and, in the roots, the high-affinity nitrate transporter genes SiNRT2.3, SiNRT2.4, glutamate synthase gene SiGOGAT2, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase gene SiFBA5, were important genes involved in the LN tolerance of the foxtail millet variety. Hence, our study implies that the identified genes and metabolic pathways contribute valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying LN tolerance in foxtail millet.

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The effect of EU derogation strategies on the compliance costs of the nitrate directive

Cited by 13 publications

References 20 publications

Characterization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mass balances of dairy farms in New York State

Characterization of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium mass balances of dairy farms in New York State

How to Enhance the Role of Science in European Union Policy Making and Implementation: The Case of Agricultural Impacts on Drinking Water Quality

Physiological and Transcriptomic Analysis Provides Insights into Low Nitrogen Stress in Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica L.)

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