nitrattidirektiivit

Nitrattidirektiivit, officially Council Directive 91/676/EEC, is a European Union directive aimed at protecting water resources from pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. The directive sets a maximum permissible concentration of nitrates in drinking water at 50 mg/l. It requires member states to monitor their water quality and identify waters affected by or at risk of nitrate pollution. Based on this identification, member states must establish action programmes to reduce and prevent nitrate pollution. These programmes typically include measures such as setting limits on the amount of nitrogen fertilizer that can be applied, establishing closed periods for fertilizer application, and promoting good agricultural practices like crop rotation and the use of cover crops. The overarching goal is to safeguard human health and the environment by preventing and reducing nitrate pollution of water bodies. Member states report on the implementation of the directive and the effectiveness of their action programmes.