Legislation relating to nutrient use in European agriculture effectively began with the European Union (EU) Drinking Water Directive (80/778/EEC) of 1980; this set a limit for nitrate in potable waters of 50 mg/L. The Nitrates Directive (91/676/EEC), adopted in December 1991, requires EU Member States to reduce nitrate pollution by introducing controls on agriculture in water catchments where the nitrate concentration in the water either exceeds the limit or is at risk of doing so. Adding to this the Climate Change Convention on nitrous oxide emissions, EU and UNECE measures to control ammonia emissions and the recent all-embracing Water Framework Directive results in a multiplicity of targets that require better nutrient management.

EU Member States are free to decide their own measures to meet the various Directives and Limits. Actions have varied from subsidised schemes for extensification and environmental stewardship and the adoption of ‘Organic Farming', through to legislated limits on fertiliser and manure application rates and compulsory nutrient budgets with fines for exceeding limits. However, there have been few measurements of the effectiveness of any of these policies and practices. In addition, some EU economic policies have resulted in changes in practice that exacerbate environmental problems, a good example being ‘Set-aside' land to reduce production surpluses that results in a flush of nitrate when plowed. Joined-up government and policy is urgently needed that produces nutrient management practices for farming systems that are truly economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.