Resource information
This Directive aims to reduce water pollution from nitrates used for agricultural purposes and to prevent any further pollution. It is closely linked to other EU policies which address air and water quality, climate change and agriculture. Member States must: a) designate as vulnerable zones all those draining into waters which are or could be affected by high nitrate levels and eutrophication ; b) establish mandatory action programmes for these areas, taking into account available scientific and technical data and overall environmental conditions; c) monitor the effectiveness of the action programmes; d) test the nitrate concentration in fresh ground and surface water at sampling stations, at least monthly and more frequently during flooding; e) carry out a comprehensive monitoring programme and submit every 4 years a comprehensive report on the implementation of the Directive; f) draw up a code of good agricultural practice which farmers apply on a voluntary basis ; g) provide training and information for farmers, where appropriate. The European Commission shall provide a report every four years on the basis of the national information it has received.Annex I lays down criteria for identifying waters affected by pollution and waters which could be affected by pollution if action is not taken pursuant article 5. Annex II specifies the items and measures to be included by Member States in their Codes of Good Agricultural Practice.
Implemented by: Act amending the Fertilizers Act. (2004-09-10)
Implemented by: Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 2394 of 2008). (2008-09-01)
Implemented by: Nitrate Pollution Prevention (Wales) Regulations 2008 (W.S.I. No. 3143 (W.278) of 2008). (2008-12-06)
Implemented by: Hazardous Installation Ordinance. (2011-10-24)
Implemented by: Fertilizers Ordinance. (2006-01-10)
Implemented by: Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 888). (1996-03-21)
Implemented by: Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (Scotland) Regulations 1996 (S.I. No. 1564 (S. 137) of 1996). (1996-06-13)
Implemented by: Act No. 539 to amend the Fertilizing Substances Act in relation with sharpening of norms of the system regulating mineral charges. (2000-12-07)
Implemented by: Act No. 312 to amend the Fertilizing Substances Act in relation with sharpening of norms of the system regulating mineral charges and the introduction of system fertilizer sale-purchase agreements. (2001-06-28)
Implemented by: Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (S.S.I. No. 373 of 2014). (2014-12-17)
Implemented by: Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (S.S.I. No. 376 of 2015). (2015-11-03)
Implemented by: Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (S.S.I. No. 96 of 2000). (2000-03-31)
Implemented by: Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (S.S.I. No. 276 of 2002). (2002-06-06)
Implemented by: Act amending Fertilizers Act. (2015-11-12)
Implemented by: Water (Prevention of Pollution) (Code of Practice) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (S.S.I. No. 175 of 2001). (2001-05-09)
Implemented by: Water Pollution Control (Code of Good Agricultural Practice) Order, 2007 (P.I. 263/2007). (2007-06-22)
Implemented by: Water Pollution (Control) Ordinance, 2002 (P.I. 407/2002). (2002-09-06)
Implemented by: Arrêté ministériel portant certaines dispositions d'exécution relatives aux techniques de mesure de l'azote potentiellement lessivable et au «survey surfaces agricoles» en application du chapitre IV de la partie réglementaire du Code de l'Eau. (2011-11-24)
Implemented by: Order No. 1318 on commercial keeping of livestock, manure, silage. (2015-11-26)
Implemented by: Decree Discharge Open Cultivation and Livestock Breeding. (2012-03-19)
Implemented by: Water Pollution Control (Nitrate Vulnerable Zones and Water Categories which may be Affected by Nitrate Pollution) Order, 2011 (P.I. 18/2011). (2011-01-21)
Implemented by: Commission Implementing Decision 2014/291/EU granting a derogation requested by the Netherlands pursuant to Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2014-05-16)
Implemented by: Ministerial Joint Decree No. 16190/1335 establishing protective measures for waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, in compliance with Council Directive 91/676/EEC. (1997-06-09)
Implemented by: Ministerial Joint Decree No. 19652/1906 on waters affected by nitrate pollution deriving from agricultural sources – Catalogue of vulnerable zones and amendment of Ministerial Decree No. 16190-1335 of 1997. (1999-07-22)
Implemented by: Ministerial Decree approving the code of good agricultural practice (1999-04-19)
Implemented by: Ordinance implementing articles 4 and 5 of the Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2006-02-10)
Implemented by: Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R. No. 156 of 1999). (1999-03-26)
Implemented by: Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (England and Wales) Regulations 1998 (S.I. no. 1202 of 1998). (1998-05-07)
Implemented by: Ordinance on requirements for facilities to store liquid manure, solid manure and silage. (2005-11-03)
Implemented by: Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 1998 (S.I. No. 2927, S. 171 of 1998). (1998-11-25)
Implemented by: Ordinance on requirements for storage facilities for fertilizers containing nitrates. (1997-12-11)
Implemented by: Nitrates Action Programme (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 (S.R. No. 196 of 2008). (2008-05-02)
Implemented by: Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. No. 307 of 2014). (2014-12-11)
Implemented by: Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 (S.R. No. 489 of 2006). (2006-12-01)
Implemented by: Act No. 312 of 2001 to amend the Fertilizing Substances Act in relation with the sharpening of norms of the system of mineral charges and the introduction of the system of animal manure agreements. (2001-06-28)
Implemented by: Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 51 of 2003). (2003-01-28)
Implemented by: Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 298 of 2008). (2008-09-04)
Implemented by: Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. No. 217 of 1996). (1996-05-30)
Implemented by: Decree No. 352 of 2005 relating to the minimum storage capacity for fertilizing substances of animal origin. (2005)
Implemented by: Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Additional Designations) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 2614 of 2002). (2002-10-15)
Implemented by: Decree No. 479 of 2001 amending the Decree use of Fertilizers of Animal Origin 1998, the Decree Quality and Use of Remaining Organic Fertilising Substances, and the Decree Discharge Open Cultivation and Livestock Breeding. (2001-07-23)
Implemented by: Protection of Water Against Agricultural Nitrate Pollution (Amendment) (Wales) Regulations 2002 (S.I. No. 2297 (W. 226) of 2002). (2002-09-05)
Implemented by: Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon modifiant le Livre II du Code de l'Environnement contenant le Code de l'Eau en ce qui concerne la gestion durable de l'azote en agriculture. (2011-03-31)
Implemented by: Hazardous Installation Ordinance. (2011-12-05)
Implemented by: Nitrates Action Programme Regulations, 2011 (L.N. 321 of 2011). (2011)
Implemented by: Real Decreto Nº 261/1996 - Protección de las aguas contra la contaminación producida por los nitratos procedentes de fuentes agrarias. (1996-02-16)
Implemented by: Hazardous Installation Ordinance. (2010-09-02)
Implemented by: Order No. 164/2010 on vulnerable areas for water pollution caused by nitrates. (2010-03-16)
Implemented by: Decree on the use and storage of fertilizers. (2013-11-25)
Implemented by: Fertilizers Ordinance. (2017-05-26)
Implemented by: Act on agricultural use of fertilizers and plant cover (No. 388 of 2017). (2016-04-27)
Implemented by: Phosphorus (Use in Agriculture) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 (S.R. No. 308 of 2014). (2014-12-11)
Implemented by: Règlement grand-ducal concernant l'utilisation de fertilisants azotés dans l'agriculture. (2000-11-24)
Implemented by: Regulation establishing vulnerable areas and the use and storage of fertilizers and manure fertilizers, crop rotation and implementation of erosion-control measures in these areas. (2003-03-03)
Implemented by: Nitrates Action Programme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010 (S.R. No. 411 of 2010). (2010-12-08)
Implemented by: Decree No. 645 of 2005 implementing provisions of the Fertilizing Substances Act. (2005-11-09)
Implemented by: Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 668 of 2015). (2015-03-09)
Implemented by: Common Agricultural Policy Single Payment and Support Schemes (Cross Compliance) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (W.S.I. No. 2941 (W.317) of 2011). (2011-12-07)
Implemented by: Order No. 814 on commercial animal husbandry, manure and silage. (2006-07-13)
Implemented by: Hazardous Installation Ordinance. (2014-07-22)
Implemented by: Cabinet Regulation No. 834 of 2014 on Protection of Water and Soil from Pollution with Nitrates Caused by Agricultural Activity (2014-12-23)
Implemented by: Regulation on the content of the Action Programme for the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2012-12-21)
Implemented by: Cabinet Regulation No. 829 of 2014 on Special Requirements for the Performance of Polluting Activities in Animal Housing (2014-12-23)
Implemented by: Legislative Decree No. 152 concerning the protection of waters against pollution and implementing Directive 91/271 concerning urban wastewater treatment and Directive 91/676 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, integrated and amended by Legislative Decree No. 258 on the protection of waters against pollution. (2000-10-20)
Implemented by: Order No. 764 on commercial livestock, manure and silage. (2012-06-28)
Implemented by: Water Supply Act (No. 71 of 2007). (2007-01-17)
Implemented by: Water Supply Act (No. 1026 of 2008). (2008-10-20)
Implemented by: Water Supply Act (No. 635 of 2010). (2010-06-07)
Implemented by: Decree containing rules relative to greenhouse cultivation and some selected agricultural enterprises. (2010-07-23)
Implemented by: Order No. 764 on commercial keeping of livestock, manure, silage. (2012-06-28)
Implemented by: Decree No. 27 of 2006 (II. 7.) Korm of the Government on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2013-05-29)
Implemented by: Regulation on the limitation of hazardous substances and fertilizers in soil. (2005-09-08)
Implemented by: Waste Management (Collection Permit) Regulations, 2007 (S.I. No. 820 of 2007). (2007-12-17)
Implemented by: Water Supply Act (No. 125 of 2017). (2017-01-26)
Implemented by: Waste Management (Facility Permit and Registration) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 821 of 2007). (2007-12-17)
Implemented by: Order No. 915 on commercial keeping of livestock, manure, silage etc. (2013-06-27)
Implemented by: Water Supply Act (No. 935 of 2009). (2009-09-24)
Implemented by: Act on environmental permits of livestock (No. 1486 of 2009). (2015-07-03)
Implemented by: Act on environmental approval for livestock (No. 1572 of 2006). (2006-12-20)
Implemented by: Law No. 272 “On water”. (2014-06-12)
Implemented by: Cabinet Regulation No. 92 of 2004 on Requirements for the Monitoring of Surface Water, Groundwater and Protected Areas and the Development of Monitoring Programmes (2012-12-18)
Implemented by: European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 605 of 2017). (2017-12-20)
Implemented by: European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 101 of 2009). (2009-03-26)
Implemented by: European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 610 of 2010). (2010-12-20)
Implemented by: European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2014 (S.I. No. 31 of 2014). (2014-01-28)
Implemented by: Decree on the method of assessment of the status of surface water bodies, method of assessing the ecological potential of heavily modified and artificial bodies of surface water and the details on the program of the assessment of surface water. (2011-03-30)
Implemented by: Order No. 1399 on monitoring of surface water, groundwater, protected areas and natural surveillance in international nature conservation areas. (2014-12-15)
Implemented by: Environment Protection Act (No. 1757 of 2006). (2006-12-22)
Implemented by: Environment Protection Act (No. 1189 of 2016). (2016-09-27)
Amended by: Commission Decision 2009/431/EC granting a derogation requested by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with regard to England, Scotland and Wales pursuant to Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2009-05-29)
Amended by: Commission Implementing Decision 2013/781/EU on granting a derogation requested by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with regard to England, Scotland and Wales pursuant to Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2013-12-18)
Amended by: Commission Implementing Decision 2014/112/EU on granting a derogation requested by Ireland pursuant to Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. (2014-02-27)
