The Federal Nitrates Program

      Category:  Price-Based Instruments; Environmental Outreach & Education
      Policy Type:  Subsidies, Grants & Incentive Payments; Public Awareness
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Europe
      Country:  Switzerland
      Description: Since 1999 the Swiss government has supported special projects to reduce nitrate levels in ground water under Article 62a of the Water Protection Act. The Swiss government makes 60 million francs available each year to support practices that help reduce nitrate levels in sensitive areas. In addition, in order to increase awareness of the options and the advantages of such nitrates projects amongst those farms that are directly affected as well as the general public, the three government ministries - BLW (agriculture), BUWAL (environment, forests and countryside) and BAG (health) - have launched an information campaign: "Action N - Fewer Nitrates in Water."
      Outcome:  The Federal Nitrates Program in Switzerland helps to reduce the nitrate level in ground water.

      Reference:  The Federal Nitrates Program

      The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)

      Category:  Institutions & Capacity
      Policy Type:  Frameworks & Guidance
      Sector:  Mixed
      Region:  Europe
      Country:  Denmark; Estonia; Finland; Germany; Latvia; Lithuania; Poland; Russia; Sweden
      Description: The Baltic Sea Action Plan (HELCOM BSAP) defines maximum allowable nutrient loads that will provide achievement of the eutrophication targets for the whole Baltic Sea and each of its sub-basins. The required reductions in nutrient loads were estimated based on the maximum allowable nutrient loads and average nutrient load levels from 1997 to 2003. The BSAP also includes direct measures to address nutrient pollution.
      Outcome:  Since inception of the Baltic Sea Action Plan in 2007, the inputs of nutrients to the sea have been reduced by 9% for nitrogen and 10% for phosphorous compared to the BSAP baseline years (1997-2003). In the longer time perspective, since 1994, the reductions have been even larger: inputs of N and P to the sea have decreased by 18% and 16%, respectively.

      Reference:  The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)

      The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE)

      Category:  Institutions & Capacity
      Policy Type:  Transparency & Accountability
      Sector:  Mixed
      Region:  Asia
      Country:  China
      Description: The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) was established in May 2006 in Beijing. Since then, the IPE has developed water and air pollution databases to monitor corporate environmental performance and to promote public participation in environmental governance.
      Outcome:  The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) aims to expand environmental information disclosure to allow communities to fully understand the hazards and risks in the surrounding environment, thus promoting widespread public participation in environmental governance.

      Reference:  The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (China)

      The Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for organic agricultural product

      Category:  Market-Based Instruments
      Policy Type:  Ecolabeling
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Asia
      Country:  Japan
      Description: The Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) sets the standard for organic labeling in Japan. To be certified as organic, farmers must follow JAS standards including the use of composts and non-use of prohibited agricultural chemicals and fertilizers for no less than two years before sowing or planting. The JAS also forbids the use of prohibited agricultural chemicals and fertilizers for production periods. Only producers certified by registered certifying bodies accredited by Japan's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries are able to label products as organic and attach the Organic JAS mark to the products.
      Outcome:  The JAS organic label provide incentives to farmers (in the form of higher prices for their products) to enhance soil structure and reduce nutrient loads from agricultural sources to local soil and water bodies.

      Reference:  The Japanese Agricultural Standard

      The Nitrate Directive

      Category:  Regulatory Approaches
      Policy Type:  Regulatory Framework
      Sector:  Agriculture
      Region:  Europe
      Country:  EU member countries
      Description: The Nitrate Directive in the European Union aims to protect water quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters and by promoting the use of good farming practices. Implementation measures are: 1)Identification of water polluted, or at risk of pollution. 2) Designating "Nitrate Vulnerable Zones"(NVZs). 3) Establishment of Codes of Good Agricultural Practice to be implemented by farmers on a voluntary basis. 4) Establishment of action programs to be implemented by farmers within NVZs on a compulsory basis. 5) National monitoring and reporting. Member countries are responsible for implementing the directive through country-level policies.
      Outcome:  The Nitrate Directive in the European Union reduces nitrate concentrations, improves water quality, and increases farmers' awareness of environmental protection.

      Reference:  The European Union (EU) Nitrate Directive