Horticultural Studies (HortiS) 2012, Vol 29, Num, 1     (Pages: 48-58)

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EU NITRATES DIRECTIVE IN TURKEY

Hatice BİLGİN YILDIRIM 1 ,Süleyman DEMİR 2

1 The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, The General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ankara
2 The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, The General Directorate of Agricultural Reform, Ankara
Viewed : 1588 - Downloaded : 755 The EU Nitrates Directive is of a prime importance in respect of sustaining the natural resources for the reduction and prevention of nitrate pollution resulting from agricultural activities, and it constitutes an integral part of the EU Water Framework Directive. Accepted by the European Council in 1991, the directive entered into force being published in Official Gazette in 2004 in Turkey as `Regulation on the Protection of Waters against Pollution Caused by Nitrates from Agricultural Sources.` As of this date, works on harmonization have been intensely continued. The works brought together multiple organizations that are notable in terms of waterworks and ensured informatory exchange through the contributions of the EU member states. Approaching to the finalization of its harmonization process, Turkey will proclaim its country either a `border to border nitrate-sensitive zone` or `nitrate vulnerable zone` in order to issue the secondary legislations required by the Nitrates Directive in accordance with these approaches. This paper covers the current works conducted with regard to the implementation of the Nitrates Directive and it has been prepared aiming at inviting attentions to the current and possible complications in the implementation process. Keywords : Agriculture, Environment, The European Union, The Nitrates Directive