Commission staff working document

In the Baltic Sea Region, eutrophication⁷ is a major problem for the sea (and for the lakes of the region). It is caused by excessive nutrient inputs (nitrogen and phosphorus) which mainly originate from inadequately treated sewage, agricultural run-off and airborne emissions from road and maritime traffic and combustion processes.

The nitrogen and phosphorous load to the Baltic Sea have increased by several times during the last century. Effects of eutrophication are particularly acute in the southern and eastern parts of the Baltic Sea. Eutrophication results inter alia in oxygen depletion, the increase of amounts of filamentous algae, the summer blooms of cyanobacterial (blue green algae) and has effects on the benthic community.

As the Baltic Sea is shallow and is semi-enclosed with slow water exchange rate, any nutrient input has a long lasting effect on the entire sea. Therefore all the countries in the catchment area are concerned and no single country or region, acting alone, can solve the problem.

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  “Implement actions to reduce nutrients”. In addition to the full implementation of the key Directives relating to eutrophication, these actions are in the ‘Baltic Sea Action Plan’ (BSAP) of HELCOM⁸. This document contains a specific section on eutrophication and has been complemented in March 2009 by thematic reports on the Baltic Sea eutrophication⁹.
  
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  “Promote measures and practices which reduce nutrient losses from farming and address eutrophication”. The aim is to ensure high environmental standards with particular focus on reducing nutrient leakage. To achieve this, in addition to the full implementation of the Nitrates and Water Framework Directives, and the new Common Agricultural Policy Cross-Compliance requirement to establish buffer strips along water courses no later than 1^st January 2012, additional Rural Development measures could be used for example to maximise fertiliser efficiency or achieve nutrient recycling. To support this process it is important to identify all the intensively used agricultural land of the whole catchment area to focus on these areas first. Should this prove insufficient, consideration could be given to what further measures might be needed through environmental or agricultural policies.
  
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  “Full implementation of the Water Framework Directive¹⁰ in order to maximize the environmental benefits for the Baltic Sea”. Member states shall take measures to obtain good ecological status in all water bodies, including coastal waters, by year 2015. A full implementation (including reporting) of the Water Framework Directive, together with the Nitrate Directive and the Urban Waste Water Directive, will improve also the environment in the open sea, in line with the objectives of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive¹¹ for 2020
  

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  “Establish and restore more wetlands” to recycle the nutrients (to stop the nutrients leaking into the Sea) and to mitigate floods (to stop the runoff of fertilisers during floods). The wetlands should be established where long term effects can be expected considering the different climatic conditions, the sensitivity for eutrophication etc.
  
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  “Facilitate cross-sectoral policy-oriented dialogue” on integration of agricultural, environmental and rural development issues by supporting the implementation of projects which build capacity on integrated approach to mitigation of nutrient losses and policy level adaptation.
  

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  1.1. “Remove phosphates in detergents in countries where this is not yet the case as recommended by HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, i.e. to prepare a timetable of phasing-out of use of phosphates in detergents". Project completed.
  
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  1.2. “Cleaner waste water” clustered projects
  
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  1.2.1. "strengthen the implementation of the HELCOM Recommendation for Waste Water Treatment Plants (WWTP) around the Baltic Sea by e.g. identifying gaps and obstacles in achieving the Recommendation, coordination of actions and exchange of experiences" (Lead: Sweden; Deadline for progress review: to be determined)
  
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  1.2.2. “PRESTO”, through education programmes for the operating staff, designers and academic trainers of wastewater treatment as well as technical studies and investments in selected Belarusian wastewater treatment plants (Baranovichi, Grodno, Molodechno and Vitebsk) strives to significantly reduce the nutrient load to the Baltic Sea. (Lead: Union of the Baltic Cities, Commission on Environment. Deadline for progress review: to be confirmed)
  
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  1.4. “Putting best agricultural practices into work – Baltic Deal”. The eutrophication status of the Baltic Sea is still unsatisfactory, despite decreased nutrient loads in recent decades. The challenge of farm nutrient run-off and leakage eventually entering the Baltic Sea is recognised by the farmer community. Baltic Deal was initiated by five farmers’ federations as a voluntary sector response. It is now a funded flagship project of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region with seven partners, part-funded by the Baltic Sea Region Programme 2007-2013 and the NEFCO/NIB BSAP Trust Fund, respectively. The strategic project objective is to cost-effectively improve the environmental status of the Baltic Sea, without impairing competitiveness or production. The specific project objective is to develop a joint, transnational Baltic Sea Region approach with national adaptation to advance and strengthen agricultural advisory services and related demonstration activities. (Lead: Federation of Swedish Farmers and Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre; Deadline: 31 December 2013)
  
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  1.5. “Assessment of regional nutrient pollution load and identification of priority projects to reduce nutrient inputs from Belarus to the Baltic Sea”, in particular in the context of the Northern Dimension Environmental Partnership (Lead: Finland; Deadline: 2013).