Promise and performance of agricultural nutrient management policy: Lessons from the Baltic Sea

• Published in: Ambio Vol. 51; no. 1; pp. 36 - 50
• Main Authors: Thorsøe, Martin Hvarregaard, Andersen, Mikael Skou, Brady, Mark V., Graversgaard, Morten, Kilis, Emils, Pedersen, Anders Branth, Pitzén, Samuli, Valve, Helena
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.01.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Advisory services; Agri-environment; Agricultural pollution; Agricultural wastes; Agriculture; Atmospheric Sciences; Baltic States; CAP; Domestic politics; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth and Related Environmental Sciences; Ecology; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Environmental Management; Environmental Pollution; Farmers; Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap; HELCOM; International cooperation; Marine policy; Measures; Natural Sciences; Naturvetenskap; Nutrients; Physical Geography; Policy; Policy instrument; Pollution; Pollution control; Research Article; Rural development; Social Sciences Interdisciplinary; Tvärvetenskapliga studier; Baltic States; Baltic Sea; Rural development; CAP; Marine policy; Policy instrument; Agri-environment; HELCOM
• ISSN: 0044-7447; 1654-7209; 1654-7209
• DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01549-3

Following decades of international collaboration to restore the Baltic Sea, we provide an assessment of the domestic implementation of measures agreed to limit diffuse agricultural pollution and the patterns of policy instruments applied. Despite the Helsinki Convention being unusually specific in detailing what measures countries should introduce, we find many shortcomings. These are most pronounced in the larger countries (Poland, Germany and Russia), while smaller countries perform better, notably Sweden and Estonia. The patterns of policy instruments applied differ, influenced by domestic politics. The limited use of complementary policy instruments suggests that other priorities overrule full and effective implementation, with engagement mirroring the advantages that a restored Baltic Sea can bring to countries. Using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support farmers in managing nutrients, particularly advisory services and investments in modern manure management technologies, represents a significant opportunity for reducing agricultural pollution in most countries.