Since the Commission considers that the water pollution by nitrates is also not sufficiently addressed by the German authorities in the framework of the ongoing revision of the national action programme, it has decided to refer this country to the Court of Justice of the EU.
The
European Union legislation establishes maximum levels of nitrates not to be
exceeded in the water. Nitrates are widely used as fertilisers in agriculture.
Excess levels are dangerous for nature and human health.
The
Nitrates Directive forms an integral part of the Water Framework Directive. It requires Member
States to monitor their waters and to reduce nitrate pollution where it has
been identified.
“The
latest figures submitted by Germany in 2012 and several recent reports from the
German authorities show worsening nitrate pollution in groundwater and surface
waters, including the Baltic Sea. Since the Commission considers that the water
pollution by nitrates is also not sufficiently addressed by the German
authorities in the framework of the ongoing revision of the national action
programme, it has decided to refer this country to the Court of Justice of the
EU.”
To read
more:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-1453_en.htm
EU fact sheet: "The Nitrates Directive"
In English
In other languages