Policy targets related to nitrogen emissions from agriculture the case of Germany Frauke GODLINSKI a, Bernhard OSTERBURG b, Jörg-Michael GREEF a, Thomas G. SCHMIDT b, Hans-Dieter HAENEL c a Institute for Crop and Soil Science, Julius Kuehn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Braunschweig, Germany b Institute of Rural Studies, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute (vti), Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Braunschweig, Germany c Institute of Agricultural Climate Research, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute (vti), Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Braunschweig, Germany
Instigation to set policy targets related to N emission Nitrogen (N) in agriculture N is a major nutrient for crop production Efficient N use is important for economically and environmetally sound food production Reduce agricultural impact on the environment Ground and surface water by increasing NO 3 - concentration Emission of trace gases (NH 3 and N 2 O) EU directives related to N emission EU Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC) EU Nitrate Directve (ND, 91/676/EEC) Directive on National Emission Ceilings (NEC, 2001/81/EC)
The national implementation of EU directives Targets related to water Water Management Act EU Water Framework Directive Fertilizer Ordinance EU Nitrate Directive Targets related to air pollution and greenhouse gases Directive on National Emission Ceilings
Use of N balances as indicator at the national level Surface N balance (similar to the OECD approach) => Indicator for the effectiveness of the action programme under the Nitrate Directive Goals: Information on N management at farm level 160 140 gross N balance gross N balance (3-year average) N surplus kg ha -1 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006
Use of N balances as indicator at the national level Farm gate balance => Agri-environmental indicator within the German National Sustainable Strategy Goals: - German National Sustainable Strategy sets the target of 80 kg N ha -1 in 2010 - German National Strategy on Biological Diversity (anchored 160 140 in the National Sustainable Strategy) farm gate balance farm gate balance (3-year average) N surplus kg ha -1 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2010
Development of NH 3 and N 2 O emissions According to the NEC Directive: emission inventories on NH 3 have to be established, including projections for the target year 2020. Calculations: following international guidelines (see e.g. EEA, 2006), results have to be reported to the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA).
Measures of agri-environmental policy to reduce N surplus, NH 3 and N 2 O emissions The Fertilisation Ordinance defines a code of good agricultural practise in accordance with Nitrates Directive: => focus on prescriptions Action programme applied to the whole territory All farmers have to comply with requirements New Fertilisation Ordinance since 2006: Ban on application: 1.Nov. (arable land) / 15.Nov. (grassland) - 31.Jan. Distance to water courses 3 m, or exact application equipment Further restrictions on slopes Limitation of fertiliser application considering N need and availability Storage capacity for manure >6 months Establishment of fertiliser plans Limit of 170 kg/ha for N from livestock manure (exception 230 kg/ha)
Take home message Agricultural N emissions => integrated strategy to abate these emissions, => analysis of N use and the N flux at different levels. For the reduction of the overall N surplus of the agricultural sector, increasing N efficiency should be the priority.
Thank you very much for your attention! Webpages for further information: http://www.jki.bund.de/en/ http://www.vti.bund.de/en/ http://www.bundesregierung.de