Nutrient runoff and erosion

Goal:

Contribute to securing a good ecological status of aquatic ecosystems

Phosphorus and nitrogen runoff and soil particle erosion reduce the water quality in watercourses. Agriculture has implemented several extensive measures, such as stopping point source pollution from manure cellars and silos. There have also been efforts to reduce nutrient runoff and erosion from diffuse sources (nonpoint source pollution). These efforts have given good results, and the water quality in numerous lakes and watercourses has been significantly improved since the 1970s.

However, further reductions of nonpoint source phosphorus runoff in certain watercourses are necessary, cf. the water framework directive discussed below. Phosphorus is considered to be the main challenge regarding agriculture's effect on our freshwater resources. Efforts are therefore being directed at especially vulnerable areas, such as Vansjø (a lake) and

watercourses in the south-western region of Jæren. According to recent knowledge, erosion control measures and optimised phosphorus fertilisation are extremely important. Soil P contents must be kept at normal levels to avoid considerable losses to watercourses. It is essential that new standard fertilisation recommendations are applied.

Another important part of the efforts has been to meet the requirements of the North Sea Declarations on a 50 percent reduction of Norwegian phosphorus and nitrogen discharges to the most vulnerable area in the North Sea and Skagerrak. The phosphorus reduction target has been achieved, but we have still not fulfilled Norway's commitments concerning nitrogen runoff to the most vulnerable area in the North Sea. Agriculture is the largest single source of nitrate runoff.

The main goal of Norway's water management regulations (Vannforvaltningsforskriften), a follow up of EU's water framework directive, is that all water resources shall achieve a "good ecological status" regarding both pollution and biodiversity by 2015 and 2021, respectively, see the Report No. 26 to the Storting (2006-2007). Several of the watercourses affected by agriculture do not have a good ecological status, and further actions are thus needed to reduce the nutrient load caused by agricultural runoff.

Strategies and measures:

Facilitate a reduction of erosion and nutrient runoff in watercourses polluted by agriculture Provide agricultural authorities with a legal basis for placing more stringent environmental demands on agriculture in heavily polluted watercourses and coastal areas

Approve and implement second generation regional environmental programmes, additionally targeting vulnerable water resources and facilitating more administratively efficient schemes by cross-county harmonisation

Evaluate the municipal environmental funds (SMIL scheme)

Improve the focus of the SMIL funds on measures for mitigation of polluted watercourses

Facilitate a more efficient utilisation of fertiliser nutrients Continue research on the issue

Revise the manure management regulations to increase utilisation of nutrients Contribute to improving fertilisation planning software

Improve spreading methods and their employment

Work on keeping cadmium in phosphorous mineral fertilisers at a low level and not above approved threshold values

Participate in and influence EU's regulatory process, thereby attempting to keep the Cd threshold value at a low level and maintaining current regulations

The water framework directive provides the basis for work that will be carried out in the counties. All those operating farm enterprises must become involved in order to take the steps that are required to reduce pollution. Measures will be initiated via regulations and through financial policy instruments in the regional environmental programmes in agriculture, e.g., by assigning the legal authority to prescribe measures in the most heavily polluted watercourses.

The aim is to tailor-make measures to mitigate the most significant environmental challenges.

Several pollution-related financial instruments are available via the regional environmental programmes, with the subsidies under the Changed soil tillage scheme as the most

substantial. The regional programmes have been revised and their continuation includes such changes as introducing more clear-cut geographic boundaries and implementing more

stringent environmental requirements in order to increase goal attainment. This enables such strategies as combining different measures in areas with vulnerable water resources. The municipal environmental funds (SMIL) are to be evaluated in i 2009, and will also be seen in relation to the second generation regional environmental programmes.

Nutrients in farmyard manure are currently not being utilised well enough. The development of knowledge about nutrient utilisation will thus receive priority. Poor utilisation leads to a considerable nutrient surplus in livestock farming areas. This in turn results in the runoff of phosphorus and nitrates to lakes and watercourses and gaseous emissions of ammonia and nitrous oxide. More of the manure being applied should be spread using environment-friendly spreading technology and/or should be quickly incorporated into the soil. The national pilot project for eco-friendly manure management will be expanded to ensure a faster transition. To increase the utilisation of manure nutrients, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will revise the regulations pertaining to the storage, spreading and management of farmyard manure. The Ministry will also contribute to the revision of fertilisation planning software to ensure that environmental and resource considerations make up part of the farmers' decision making process regarding manure management. This effort involves close cooperation between research, public authorities and farmers. One approach could be conducting projects to ensure the rapid implementation and testing of new knowledge and research results. Furthermore, the application of these tools by practitioners must be ensured through extension activities and by arranging courses.

In 2008, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food initiated a pilot project that subsidised

farmland on which manure was applied with a band spreader, manure injection equipment or incorporated shortly after application. The project stimulates farmers to reduce ammonia

losses, thus reducing the need for mineral nitrogen fertilisers. These manure spreading methods also reduce the risk of phosphorus and nitrogen runoff.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is also working to avoid the contamination of farm soils with toxic substances contained in the applied fertilisers. In this context, the Ministry is making efforts to ensure that regulations, public administration and use of mineral and organic (sludge and compost) fertilisers are optimised at any given time. Currently, Norway accepts a maximum limit of 100 mg cadmium per kg phosphorus in mineral fertilisers, and wishes to continue such a restrictive approach.