BALTIC SEAENVIRONMENT PROCEEDINGS No. 59 - Helcom

Another related question has been initiated by the Coalition Clean Baltic ( CCB)
where TC Diff has been asked to investigate the riverine load of nitrogen emanating
from atmospheric deposition.
Within the Group, this task relates primarily to agriculture and traffic - two priority
sources. The Group made reference to what has already been achieved and future
contributions have to be further discussed.
With reference to the priority sources, agricuZture seems at the moment be a first
priority. A number of recommendations have already been adopted and it is now the
task of the Contracting Parties to implement those recommendations. These could
briefly be described as follows.
- Reduction of nitrogen, mainly nitrate, leaching from agriculture land. The
recommendation gives concrete advise on how to apply artificial fertilizer and
animal manure, as well as advise for calculation of the need to apply fertilizer.
- Reduction of phosphorus leaching and erosion. The same principles apply for this
recommendation
- Reduction offarm waste discharges recommends establishment of storage systems
etc
- a few other recommendations supporting the need to reduce nitrogen such as
recommendation on retention of nutrient in freshwater systems and reduction of
ammonia volatilization from animal housing.
With all these recommendations, the most urgent need within the agriculture area
seems to be covered. The work should in the future be concentrated on the
implementation and the experiences from that implementation.
Another area within agriculture is the use of pesticide. Many pesticides, that have
been used in the past, are very toxic and/or persistent. Some of the worst ones have
already been prohibited for use by Contracting Parties and they have been identified
in Annex 1 of the new Convention. A recommendation for approval of pesticides for
use in the Baltic Sea area has been adopted by Helcom. The main message in that
recommendation is that pestides should not be used unless they have been approved
by an authority and that a register of approved pesticides should be published
annually. Basic criteria for approval will be elaborated taking into account
internationally agreed criteria.
TC Diff has agreed to develop a proposal for BEP with the aim of diminish
unnecessary pollution when pesticides are used. A first draft should be presented at
the end of this year.
A widespread use of fertilizers is also of concern due to the contamination of
cadmium. This is a problem which is dealt with also in other international fora such
as OECD, and a proposal for restriction will be discussed at the next TC Diff.
Even though some results already have been achieved in the agriculture sector, TC
Diff has decided that agriculture matters should be kept on the agenda and the
following will be considered in the future
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