Download as a PDF - CiteSeerX

The approaches taken by Brittany to reduce nitrate and phosphorus pollution have
been influenced by a long history of legislation, starting in 1810, when a regulation for
registered holdings (la réglementation des installations classées pour la protection de
l’environnement – ICPE) was first introduced. This regulation was designed to control
activities that are detrimental to environmental and public health.
The ICPE regulation has been modified a number of times and is applied to livestock
enterprises holding numbers of animals above set thresholds. It imposes certain
obligations on the farmer, such as the need for manure management plans and the
active management of the nitrogen (N) surplus. Holdings are subject to inspections by
the regional administration. In 2005, Brittany contained 12,000 authorised registered
holdings (including 9782 livestock enterprises): representing 17% of the ICPE in
France (Daumer et al., 2005).
Nitrates Directive in Brittany
Brittany is particularly sensitive to nitrate pollution as 80% of drinking water is
derived from surface water sources. In 1994, the whole of Brittany was designated
a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ). Table 1 summarises the regulatory process and
actions related to implementation of the Nitrates Directive. In the areas of highest
livestock density, more stringent measures have since been introduced.
Table 1:
The regulatory framework associated with the implementation of
the Nitrates Directive in Brittany (source: Daumer et al., 2005)
December 1991 Nitrates Directive
December 1994 Brittany is designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ)
1994–1995 Delineation of 71 ZES and 1st nutrient removal program
1996–2001 First Nitrate Directive Action Programme
Nutrient Management Plans are mandatory
January 1998 Thresholds introduced for manure treatment and limits put on spreading
areas
July 2001 Second Nitrate Directive Action Programme
Delineation of complementary action zones (ZACs) including:
• Mandatory cover crops over winter
• Nitrogen application limit of 210 kg/ha/year
March 2002 Manure management plans mandatory for new young farmers and all
registered holdings under the IPCE regulations
July 2002 Revision of ZES (104 cantons) and 2nd nutrient removal programme
An assessment was made of the manure N loading in each canton (local administrative
district). Those cantons where the amount of manure N exceeded 170 kg/ha of
agricultural land were designated as zones d’excedents structurels (ZES) (structural
surplus zones). There are now 104 ZES and these cover 70% of the region. In these
ZES cantons, actions have to be taken by the largest livestock producers to reduce
the amount of nutrients spread on the land through a combination of two or more of
the following measures:
• Reduce the number of livestock.
• Reduce the amount of nutrients excreted through changes in animal diet.
188