Policy Paper
93
The Nitrates Directive, incompatible with livestock farming? The case of France and Northern European countries
As the Nitrates Directive is beeing discussed again, Philippe Le Goffe draws a comparison between manure policies in France and in Northern European countries. He wonders if the directive is compatible with livestock farming.
Policies in the north of Europe, which have gradually been aligned with Denmark’s policy, have focused action on effective compliance with fertilisation balance, without attempting to block or avoid necessary structural changes.
Based on this observation, we put forward several recommendations that could improve the ecological and economic efficiency of French policy:
– Effectively apply regulations, by defining the right ecological standards and sanctions.