The Research Service of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has prepared an informational reference on the legislative regulation of the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. The document analyses the legislation of the European Union and selected EU Member States with a view to identifying possible legislative approaches to addressing this issue in Ukraine.
The document examines the key provisions of Council Directive 91/676/EEC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (the Nitrates Directive). In particular, it outlines approaches to identifying waters that are polluted or at risk of nitrate pollution, designating vulnerable zones, introducing rules of good agricultural practice and action programmes, as well as monitoring, reviewing the relevant zones and programmes, and reporting by EU Member States.
The experience of the Czech Republic, Poland and Estonia in transposing the Nitrates Directive is also analysed, including their approaches to the legislative regulation of water protection from nitrate pollution, the designation of vulnerable zones and the implementation of action programmes.
The document also outlines possible approaches to implementing the requirements of the Nitrates Directive in Ukrainian legislation, including the introduction of action programmes and the allocation of responsibilities among the relevant public authorities.
The full text of the informational reference is available at:
