AGRICULTURE AND DANUBE WATER POLLUTION

The DRP has developed a number of reports aimed at assessing agricultural activities and products that contribute to nutrient and toxic pollution in the DRB. The reports also provide recommendations for pollution reduction. Nutrient fertilizer and pesticide products and manure are the main sources of agricultural pollution that have been assessed in the reports. A number of reports are also currently under preparation.

An Information Sheet and full report exists for each of the following:

1. Nutrient Fertilizer and Manure Use
2. Pesticide Use
3. Total Nutrient Emissions from Agriculture
4. National Policies for Reducing Agricultural Pollution
5. Introducing BAP through Policy Reforms and Pilot Projects
6. Guidelines for Manure Management

Overall highlights from the reports include:

Current consumption and use of fertilizers, pesticides and nutrients

• Historical overviews of consumption 
• Total consumption DRB-wide and country-specific 
• Most commonly used agricultural products 
• Lists of bad and good agricultural practices 
• Human and environmental impacts from use 
• EU and international legislation affecting use

Agricultural policies 

• 'Policy-making' defined 
• Overview of the DRB policy context and the impacts of EU accession 
• Country-specific lists for four key instruments currently used by DRB countries to reduce pollution: regulatory, economic, advisory-informational and project-based
  - Assessment of adequacy of above instruments and overall 'policy' mix in each country, and DRB-wide summary
• List of EU legislation with opportunities for reforming policy 
• Recommendations and potential mechanisms for improving policy reform

Best Agricultural Practices (BAP) 

• Concept and definition 
• Suggested strategies and policy objectives to guide policy reform to encourage BAP 
• Advice on how to develop the right national 'policy mix' 
• Necessary next steps including demonstration pilot projects

Good Manure Management

• Main benefits and principles 
• four sets of guidelines 
  - three for collection and storage of animal manures divided in three groups: households and small farms, communal stores, and larger livestock units 
  - one for application of manures to agricultural land
• Available in six languages
  

To download this information sheet,  HERE. 
To view or download all reports in full version, click HERE.