The European Commission has published the first comprehensive evaluation of the Nitrates Directive since its original adoption in 1991. The report examines the ongoing impact of the legislation, which aims to protect water quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources from polluting ground and surface waters.
According to the Commission, the directive remains an effective tool for addressing pollution. However, the evaluation highlights that there is scope for smarter implementation of the current rules. The release follows the findings presented by the Commission on 15 July 2026, marking a significant review of the long-standing environmental framework.
Source: European Commission. Read the original report ↗