The importance of implementation of WFD in Poland

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The importance of implementation of WFD in Poland

• Anne Stalk
• Signe D. Frese

2

• Master students at Roskilde University, Denmark
• Interdisciplinary approach
• Research area WFD implementation in Poland and
  the possible effects on the Baltic Sea

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WFD and IRBM

• The WFD is paradigm shift in European water
  management
• Holistic approach
• Based on IRBM
• The purpose of IRBM is to coordinate development
  and management of water, land and related
  resources, in order to maximise the resultant
  economic and social welfare in an equitable
  manner without compromising the sustainability of
  vital ecosystems.

4
Poland and euthrophication

• Poland covers ca. 63 of the Baltic Proper
  catchment area
• Proportion of sources contributing to waterborne
  nitrogen input into the Baltic Sea sub-regions in
• 2000

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Nitrogen

• Proportion of waterborne inputs of nitrogen into
  the Baltic Sea by HELCOM countries in 2000.
• 75 of all nitrogen inputs are waterborne

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Phosphate

• Proportion of waterborne inputs of phosphorus
  into the Baltic Sea by HELCOM countries in 2000
• 49 of total phosphate discharge is from diffuse
  sources
• Almost all Phosphate discharged into the Baltic
  Proper derives from Poland (99)

7
Agricultural development

• Country in transition
• New EU member
• Agriculture not intensive, although it covers 60
  of land area
• One fifth of the population is employed here
  however, it contributes with less than 5 of
  GDP.
• Rural development
• Tendency towards intensification
• CAP

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Denmark- a bad example

• Agriculture constitute 4 of GDP, employs 6 of
  population
• Export of agricultural products amounted to 54
  billions in 2001
• Country specific nitrogen (kg N/km2)diffuse
  losses into inland surface waters within the
  Baltic Sea catchment area

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Denmark- a bad example (2)

• Denmark discharges more kg N per km2 than Poland
• Danish agriculture is not sustainable
• The power of the Danish agriculture
• 17 expansion despite expansion prohibition
• Denmark declared they will not achieve GES, but
  lower aims due to costs and power of agriculture

10
Recent initiatives in Poland

• Important to implement WFD properly in Poland in
  order to protect nature and the Baltic Sea, and
  avoid the Danish mistakes
• Poland has decreased nutrients from point sources
• Introduced new water legislation
• Introduced decentralised approach to water
  management and created water boards.

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Potential barriers for implementation

• Lack of integration between sectors
• Lack of communication between agriculture and
  water management sector on different levels
• Lack of holistic approach. The Baltic is not
  considered
• Environmental issues not prioritised
• Public participation is considered barrier in
  itself
• Lack of capacity
• Power division not clear

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The importance of implementation of WFD

• IRBM must be taken seriously
• Baltic Sea must be considered when making RBMPs
• Agricultural development must be directed
  towards sustainable practices