HELCOM regulations

Annex III of the Convention
•Plant nutrients
•E.g. animal density, manure storage, application of organic manures
•Application rates for nutrients, winter crop cover
•Water protection measures and nutrient reduction areas
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•Plant protection products
•Registration and approval, storage and handling
•Application technology, testing of spraying equipment
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•Environmental permits, monitoring, education,
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In 1998 Annex III, part 2 of the Convention, criteria and measures to prevent pollution from agriculture, was included in the convention.
These requirements contained similar requirements as the former Recommendations in this field.
The convention more binding and the requirements were compiled in a more structured way.
Results of a danish project:
Several countries have a comprehensive and coherent legislation covering the most important aspects.  Most countries have implemented legislation concerning manure storage and application of organic manure and fertilisers as well as handling of wastewater. Legislation and rules are followed up by regulations, GAP-codes, and other measures, eg. recommendations in order to ensure implementation in agricultural practice.
This evaluation reveals that the nitrate directive (maximum 170 kg nitrogen from organic manure) has been implemented in most countries. Most countries have legislation and GAP codes concerning winter crop cover, soil erosion, and special nutrient reduction areas.
The two major weak points are the lack of knowledge of what is really happening at farm level and what are the real effects on the aquatic environment.