Situation, Strategies and BMPS to Control Agricultural NPS Pollution In The European Union

Although significant improvements in water quality have been achieved in Europe over the last two decades, water quality status is still below desirable levels in many locations. As in many other regions around the world, nonpoint source pollution from agricultural landscapes remains the key cause of water quality problems in many parts of Europe due to nitrogen surplus, and, in some countries, losses of phosphorus. A variety of physical, managerial, financial and political tools exist for addressing nonpoint source pollution from agricultural sources. However, water resource managers face difficulties in cajoling landowners to adopt the necessary actions, particularly if the effects of such actions to enhance productivity do not exist (or are not apparent). As shown by trends in groundwater quality data, there may be significant delays in observable water quality improvements after action has been taken. These delays in the response times of natural systems will further challenge the willpower of governments at all levels to provide the financial and human resources necessary to combat diffuse pollution. Consequently, there must be continued close cooperation between researchers seeking new control strategies, government agencies that fund such research and finance implementation and landowners who must adopt the measures.