EU Agricultural and Environmental Requirements in Sweden presentation

Compliance with EU Agricultural
and Environmental Requirements -
The Swedish Experience
Christine Jakobsson, JTI
Regional Conference on Agricultural Source
Pollution in Danube, Baltic and Black Sea
Riparian Countries, Bucharest
September 30 - October 3, 2003
C. Jakobsson 5/2003 1

Disposition
• EU:s Nitrate Directive
• Sweden’s legislation
and adaptation to EU
• Swedish advisory
service & information
• Synthesis from the
implementation of EU:s
Nitrate Directive

The policy implementation of nutrient management in European Countries
EU:s Nitrate Directive
Different approaches in policy
• Nitrogen or phosphorus based systems
– N based systems as in the Nitrate Directive, (170 kg N/ha) are
most common
– P based systems e.g. Sweden, the allowed level of P is defined
as livestock density corresponding to 22 kg P in manure/ha,
- no problems with requirements of 170 kg N/ha returned in
animal excreta (Nitrate Directive). Another advantage is that
information on P content in manure is more reliable, as losses in
animal houses and during storage are almost non-existent and
therefore easier for the farmer to calculate.
– N and P-based systems

The policy implementation of nutrient management in European Countries
EU:s Nitrate Directive
Implementation of nutrient management legislation
• The Nitrate Directive issued in 1991. Most activities to be
implemented before 2000.
• Objectives are to reduce water pollution caused or induced by
nitrates from agricultural sources and to prevent such pollution.
• Member states must identify Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NZVs)
on the basis of monitoring requirements results.
• Action Programmes with mandatory measures on agricultural
practices must be implemented in NVZs. Maximum amounts of
animal manure that can be applied to land yearly (210 kg N/ha
until mid-December 2002 when the amount will be reduced to
170 kg N/ha).
• Monitoring of water quality according to specific requirements.
• Codes of Good Agricultural Practice (CGAP) must be elaborated
and are mandatory in the NVZs and voluntary outside.

Nitrate Vulnerable
Zones in Europe
Source: J. Duchemin

EU:s Nitrate directive
• Promote the use of suitable methods within agriculture
to create a general protective level against all pollution
of all water
• Special protection is necessary for certain areas against
nitrogen compounds
• Members states must identify vulnerable zones and
establish and implement action programmes for these
areas (within 2 years)
• Action programmes should contain measures to reduce
the land-application of all N-fertilisers and in particular to
set specific limits for the application of livestock manure
• It is necessary to monitor waters

Establish a Code of Good Agricultural Practice
The objective of reducing nitrate pollution should cover:
• periods when the land application of fertiliser is inappropriate;
• the land application of fertilisers to steeply sloping ground;
• the land application of fertiliser to water-saturated, flooded, frozen
or snow-covered ground;
• the conditions for land application of fertiliser near water courses;
• the capacity and construction of storage vessels for livestock
manure, including measures to prevent water pollution by run-off
and seepage into the groundwater and surface water of liquids
containing livestock manure and effluents from stored plant
materials such as silage;
• procedures for the land application, including rate and uniformity
of spreading, of both chemical fertiliser and livestock manure, that
will maintain nutrient losses to water at an acceptable level

Establish a Code of Good Agricultural Practice
The objective of reducing nitrate pollution may cover:
• land use management, including the use of crop rotation systems
and the proportion of the land area devoted to permanent crops
relative to annual tillage crops;
• the maintenance of a minimum quantity of vegetation cover
during (rainy) periods that will take up the nitrogen from the soil
that could otherwise cause NO3-pollution of water;
• the establishment of fertiliser plans on a farm-by-farm basis and
the keeping of records on fertiliser use;
• the prevention of water pollution from run-off and the downward
water movement beyond the reach of crop roots in irrigation
systems.

Measures to be include in action
programmes - rules:
• periods when the land application of certain types
of fertiliser is prohibited;
• the capacity of storage vessels for livestock
manure;

Measures to be include in action
programmes - rules cont.:
• limitation of the land application of fertilisers,
consistent with good agricultural practice and
taking into account the characteristics of the
vulnerable zone concerned, in particular:
– soil conditions, soil type and slope;
– climatic conditions, rainfall and irrigation;
– land use and agricultural practices, including crop rotation
systems; and to be based on a balance between:
• the foreseeable N requirements of the crops, and
• the nitrogen supply to the crops from the soil and
from fertilisation corresponding to:
– the amount of N present in the soil at the end of
winter
– through net mineralisation of the organic N reserves
in the soil
– from livestock manure
– from chemical and other fertilisers

Measures to be include in action programmes -
rules continuation:
• These measures will ensure that, for each farm or livestock
unit the amount of livestock manure applied to the land
each year, including by the animals themselves, shall not
exceed 170 kg N per hectare (210 kg N per ha the first 4
years)
• These amounts may be calculated on the basis of animal
numbers

Criteria for identifying waters -
Monitoring programmes and measures
• if the groundwater contains more than 50 mg/l
nitrates
• if surface freshwaters, in particular those used for
drinking water, contain more than 50 mg/l nitrates
• if natural freshwater lakes, other freshwater
bodies, estuaries, coastal waters and marine
waters are found to be eutrophic or may become so

• Sweden is a very sparsely populated and forest dominated
country.
• The environmental problems are small in comparison to
many other countries in Europe.
• Nutrient leakage from agriculture, especially nitrogen, affects
coastal areas and also rivers and lakes negatively.
• Surface run-off of phosphorus can be a problem causing
eutrophication, mainly in inland waters, where phosphorus is
generally the growth limiting factor.

Programme to reduce nutrient losses from agriculture
• Launched in 1988 by the Swedish Parliament
• The goal was to reduce the amount of N that reaches the Baltic Sea
by 50% from 1985 to 1995 and to substantially reduce the amount
of P.
• This goal has not been reached, but 25% reductions in N losses to
the Baltic Sea have been calculated. In Svealand the reduction of
nitrogen losses to the sea was up to 40% (SEPA, 1997).
• Since 1995 specific measures to reduce the ammonia losses from
agriculture were successively elaborated and implemented.
• Measures to tackle the problems are:
– requirements and guidelines
– advisory service and information
– research and development
– economic instruments of control

• To ensure that manure is not produced in excess to the amount of
arable land on the farm, a balance must exist between the
amount of animals on the farm and the amount of land
available for spreading manure.
• The maximum amount of animals has been precised with
consideration taken to the amount of P and N in manure and a
crops normal requirements and removal of plant nutrients.
• The limiting factor is P, with a maximum amount of
approximately 23-25 kg P per hectare.
• As the amount of manure per area will be moderate, the risk of
nutrient leaching of both N and P will be smaller.
• One advantage with using P instead of N is that the figures on P
content in manure are more reliable, as P losses in the stable and
during storage are almost non-existing.

The number of animals per hectare may not be larger than:
Type of animal Animals/ha
Dairy cows 1,6
Cows for breeding calves 2,3
Heifers, bulls, steers > 1 years age 4,6
Calves < 1 years age 5,8
Sheep and goats 15
Sows in production 2,2
Fattening pigs, places 10,5
Laying hens, places 100
Young hens, places 250
Broilers, places 470
Turkeys, ducks, geese, places 140
Horses 3
Mink, breeding females 50
Spreading area for manure
•Own arable land and leased arable land
•Spreading contracts (min. 5 years) with neighbors & spreading journal
•Exception - if manure is fabricated to a product that leaves the farm

Manure, slurry and urine storage requirements in sensitive regions
and for large farms
• 8 months for animal production consisting of cattle, horses, sheep or
goats
• 10 months for other types of animal production.
Applies to all farms with > 10 animal units in a specified pollution sensitive area
consisting of southern Sweden and a 20 km coastal zone from the Norwegian
border to Stockholm county. They also apply to all farms in Sweden with > 100
animal units.
In the rest of Sweden
The size of the storage facilities for manure should with good margins be
able to handle the need for storage during the time-period when
livestock manure should not be spread - 6 to 10 months production of
manure.

Ammonia reduction measures for storage of
slurry and urine
• slurry and urine pits must be covered with a stable
surface crust layer or other covering that effectively
reduces ammonia emissions
• filling must take place beneath the covering.
Since 1995, this affects farms with > 10 animal units in three counties in
southern Sweden, and since 1997 in the rest of Götaland and on the
plains of Svealand.
Slurry pits can either be covered with a natural crust, straw, peat,
plastic, leca pebbles, a roof or other covering materials that
effectively reduce ammonia emissions. Filling beneath the
covering is to prevent the slurry or urine from breaking the cover
or ending up on top of the cover.

Ban on application of manure and other organic
manure during winter
• To prevent nutrient leaching, manure and other organic
wastes may not be applied to land in Sweden during the 1st
of December to the 28th of February, unless they are
incorporated in the soil the same day to a depth of at least 10
cm.
• Harrowing the surface is not enough.

Sweden’s adaptation of legislation to the
Nitrate Directive
New requirements on manure application in
sensitive regions since January 1999
1. Fertilisers must not be spread in amounts exceeding the
crops nitrogen requirements for the growing season. The
amount of fertiliser applicated should be based on a balance
between the crops foreseeable nitrogen requirements and
the nitrogen supply from all external potential nutrient
sources, as well as taking into account:
a) soil conditions, soil type and slope,
b) climatic conditions, precipitation and irrigation,
c) land use and agricultural practices, including crop rotation systems;
2. Fertiliser must not be applicated on water-saturated or flooded
ground;

Sweden’s adaptation of legislation to the
Nitrate Directive
New requirements on manure application in sensitive
regions since January 1999
3. Fertiliser must not be applicated on snow-covered or deeply
frozen ground;
4. Nitrogen containing commercial fertilisers must not be
applicated from the 1st of November to the 15th of February;
5. Manure and other organic fertilisers must not be applicated
from the 1st of January to the 15th of February;
6. Manure and other organic fertilisers can be spread from the
1st of August to the 30th of November only to a growing
crop or before autumn sowing.

New requirements on manure application in sensitive
regions since January 1999
Land application of FYM with the exception of poultry manure, is
allowed on bare soils, without the requirements of autumn
sowing afterwards, from 20 October to 30 November in the
counties of Blekinge, Skåne och Halland if incorporation takes
place, as well as from 10 October to 30 November in the
defined coastal areas of Stockholms, Södermanlands,
Östergötlands, Kalmar, Västra Götalands and Gotlands county,
if incorporation takes place the same day.
Farmyard manure (FYM) is defined as manure and other organic
fertilisers that can be stacked to at least 1 meters height
without a supportive wall and that has a dry matter content
higher than 20%.

Ammonia reduction measures for application of manure
Incorporation within 4 hours
Since 1996, manure, slurry or urine must be incorporated within 4
hours after land application when spreading on bare soils. This
applies to three counties in southern Sweden.
When applying manure, slurry and urine it is of great importance that
incorporation takes place as soon as possible, as the largest
ammonia emissions take place immediately after application. The
ammonia emissions are high, when the contents of ammonia nitrogen
are high in the urine, slurry or manure. It is not until the ammonia ion is
adsorbed by soil particles or assimilated by crops, that the risk of
ammonia emissions is practically inhibited.

Techniques for application to growing crops
In the three counties in southern Sweden, from 1998, slurry must be spread to
growing crops with techniques that efficiently reduce losses of ammonia:
 Bandspreading techniques or other similar techniques, where
slurry is placed directly on the ground beneath the crop cover,
 Injectors or other similar techniques, where slurry is placed directly
in the ground,
 Techniques, where one part slurry is diluted with at least one half
part water before application (broadcasting),
 Techniques, that are followed by irrigation with at least 10 mm
water within 4 hours (broadcasting).

At least 60 respectively 50% winter-green land is required
during the autumn or winter on every farm with more
than 5 hectares arable land in the three most southern
counties and in the rest of Götaland respectively. Only
open fields, not natural pastures or grazing land, are affected
by the requirements. Both the time for sowing and for
interrupting plant growth are regulated.
The following crops are accepted: grassland, winter cereals,
winter oilseeds, energy forest (usually Salix), sugar beets,
carrots or other similar root crops (not potatoes), perennial fruit
and berry crops, special catch crops (usually perennial
ryegrass, Lolium perenne), set-aside arable land with covering
plants.

• Farms with more than 200 animal units are required to apply
for a permit at the County Administrative Board to be able to
operate.
• The permit usually consists of requirements regarding the
maximum amount of animals, the storage capacity and
application of manure etc.

Plant nutrients - Current legislation affecting the agricultural sector in Sweden
Summary
• Livestock density: according to P contents of manure (23-25 kg P/ha)
• Manure storage: storage capacity, covering of urine and slurry pits,
filling beneath the cover
• Application of manure: ban, new requirements, incorporation,
spreading techniques when spreading in a growing crops
• Application of fertilisers: nitrogen application according to the crops
requirements, ban on winter spreading
• Winter-green land: 60 resp. 50%
• Permits for farms with more than 200 livestock units

Advisory service and information
• Advice free of charge for all farms with more than
20 livestock units since 1988
– Plant nutrient balance (farm-gate balance)- STANK
computer programme
– Plant production plan with special reference to
strategies for usage of manure
• Plant nutrient newsletters
• Demonstrations e.g. manure spreaders and field trials
• Since 2001 “Focus on Nutrients”

Focus on Nutrients
• Joint venture between The Swedish Board of Agriculture, The County
Administration Boards, The Federation of Swedish Farmers and a
number of companies in the farming business.
• The largest single undertaking in Sweden to reduce losses of
nutrients to air and water from livestock and crop production. Mainly in
the Southern part of Sweden
• A campaign to provide training and advice and the project´s aim is to
encompass the entire flow of nutrients on the farm. Extended
extension service and documentation at the farm level, indicators
• Voluntary programme for farmers with environmental payments (EU-CAP).
3 800 farmers have joined.
• The background is the new Swedish national goals for environmental
quality

Environmental Quality Goal Area covered by Focus on Nutrients
- Zero Eutrophication - Phosphorus losses, nitrogen
leaching,ammonia volatilisation
- Natural Acidification Only - Ammonia volatilisation
- Good-Quality Groundwater - Nitrogen leaching
- Reduced Climate Impact - Nitrous oxide emissions
(nitrogen leaching)
- A Non Toxic Environment - Handling of plant protection
chemicals

Focus on Nutrients
The purpose is to:
* reduce losses of nitrate from farmland
* reduce ammonia emissions from manure
* reduce losses of phosphorus from farmland
* avoid spreading of pesticides into surface and groundwater
This shall be reached by increasing nutrient management efficiency
on the farms by increasing awareness and knowledge. The
farmer is in focus and therefore the core of the project is
education and advising by individual visits by farm advisers.
www.greppa.nu

“Focus on Nutrients” “Greppa näringen”
Advice - Sequence of advisory modules
• Start-planning advisory needs
• Basic nutrient balance
• Repeat nutrient balance
• Nitrogen strategy
• Phosphorus strategy
• Soil compaction
• Handling of plant protection chemicals
• Planning wetlands
• Grass crop strategy
• Animal housing environment
• Planning of buildings
• Inspection of feeding plan for dairy cows
• Inspection of feeding plan for beef cattle
• Grazing strategy
• Feed consumption recording for piglets
• Feed consumption recording for fattening pigs

Options and perspectives of the nutrient policy in
Sweden - Conclusions
• Sweden is generally satisfied with the legislation in this area
• No large problems exist
• No major changes in the legislation are planned for the future
• Minor adjustments will most likely take place e.g.
– Enlargement of NVZ area
– Definitions of animal units
– Livestock density
• Sweden is more interested in voluntary agreements with farmers
• No changes in the ammonia legislation were introduced after the
review and analysis (1998) - instead wait for the results from the
legislation that recently came into place (1995 - )

Options and perspectives of the nutrient policy in Sweden
Conclusions
Measures and control
• No difficulties
– Livestock density,
– storage of manure/urine/slurry,
– green land, spreading technology
• Some difficulties
– incorporation of manure/urine/slurry within a time frame (4 hours) -
documentation of spreading on the farm

Advice from Ingrid Svedinger,
Ministry of Agriculture, Sweden
• Take regular contact and have discussions
with DG Environment, Michael Hamell,
chairman(Irland), Liliana Cortelini and Claudia
Olasabel
• Be active within the Nitrate Committee
• Difference between guidelines (stricter -
should be done, if not otherwise proven) and
guidance (only recommendations)

Main obligations of the Nitrate Directive and their
implementation by Member States as of 01/06/2001
Member state AT BE DK DE EL ES FI FR IR IT LX NL NL PT SE UK
Water monitoring + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Designation of NVZ + + + + + + + +  + + + + + + +
Codes of Good
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Agricultural Practice
Action programmes + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Report to the
Commission on
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
implementation status
Notes: + indicates that the task is performed but not necessarily approved by the Commission; 
indicates that important designations are expected by the end of 2001; shaded cells indicate
that infringement procedures are ongoing (some proceedings at an early stage are not mentioned
in this table for legal reasons)
Source: Jean Duchemin, personal communication

D. CONCLUSION
• At least 30-40% of rivers and lakes show eutrophication
symptoms or bring high nitrogen fluxes to coastal waters and
seas. The agricultural origin is 50 - 80% of total N inputs to EU
waters, depending on Member States, watersheds and annual
variations;
• All M. S. have now transposed the directive, set up a
comprehensive monitoring network, established a code of good
practice, and designated at least partially their vulnerable zones
(except Ireland);
• A CAP more oriented towards quality rather than quantity,
encouraging extensive cropping or breeding, “buffer” natural
areas and accurate balanced fertilisation, can further contribute
to these purposes;
• Cost-efficiency studies on preventive measures should also be
encouraged, in order to focus action programmes and practice
changes towards the most efficient one;

D. CONCLUSION cont.
• Besides financial support for a more environmental-friendly agriculture
and dissemination of knowledge, it is necessary that all M.S. arrive at a
full implementation of the Nitrate Directive, reinforce surveys and
controls at field level (including checking of fertilisation plans and
records, manure storage and handling, soil analysis, natural buffer
strips, etc.), and introduce dissuasive penalties for the producers who do
not ensure eco-compliance.
• Investments in urban wastewater treatment will be inefficient regarding
nutrients if a parallel effort is not devoted to an effective reduction of
agricultural nutrients losses.
• Water Framework Directive (WFD). A synergy has to be developed in
the future work for common implementation of these water directives, on
items such as:
— Harmonisation of water sampling points, networks, parameters and
frequencies for water quality monitoring in order to meet, with minimum
work at field level, the needs linked with EU Directives, OECD-Eurostat
Questionnaires, EEA “Eurowaternet”, Marine and River Conventions,
and local/regional needs.

D. CONCLUSION cont.
— Harmonisation of water sampling points, networks, parameters
and frequencies for water quality monitoring in order to meet,
with minimum work at field level, the needs linked with EU
Directives, OECD-Eurostat Questionnaires, EEA Eurowaternet”,
Marine and River Conventions, and local/regional needs.
— Assessment of point and diffuse losses of nutrients to waters,
and of the breakdown of their origin (agriculture, urban waters,
industry, air deposition…:
— Models correlating environmental impacts (e.g. algae blooms)
and causative factors (nutrients, natural conditions, etc.), which
will allow forecast of impact of various scenarios in the reduction
or increase of these factors.
— Cost-efficiency approach for preventive measures. Nitrogen and
Phosphorus will certainly appear as priority polluters in many
E.U. watersheds.

EU Agricultural and Environmental Requirements in Sweden presentation

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