In Europe the Nitrates Directive (ND) was issued in 1991 with the aim of preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting surface water and groundwater. However, in EU-27 countries, most groundwater monitoring stations... [ view full abstract ]
In Europe the Nitrates Directive (ND) was issued in 1991 with the aim of preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting surface water and groundwater. However, in EU-27 countries, most groundwater monitoring stations do not show an appreciable decreasing trend of nitrate concentrations. Such general stability can be due to both the characteristics of the local hydrogeological systems, which can affect their natural recovery time, as well as to the socio-economic features of the region concerned by the application of the environmental regulations. This contribution aims at identifying the key components of the social context which are able to hamper or to facilitate the achievement of the objectives set by the application of the ND at regional scale. In the highly impacted Lombardy plain, in northern Italy, nitrate concentration trends for the period 2006-2016 were evaluated. Subsequently, as proposed by the new socio-hydrogeological approach, a social network analysis was carried out using a participative method, permitting to obtain both qualitative and quantitative data on the relevant stakeholders involved in the studied issue and on their relationships. Finally, the regional legal framework was reviewed and compared to the social network data. In the study area the lack of significant trends in most of the analysed wells confirms an overall stability of nitrates concentrations, while the magnitudes of trends confirm the limited decrease in contamination levels. Undoubtedly several characteristics of the governance framework and some perceptive constraints, not taken into account in the application at the regional scale of the ND, undermine its effectiveness. In particular, (1) a poor efficacy in communicating good practices despite a high effort by authorities and trade unions, (2) the weakness of the relationships between the actors of the agricultural sector and the institutional ones, (3) the relevance of actors linked to the industrial sector acting on a local scale in the decision-making processes of farmers, (4) the scant perception by farmers and breeders of the ND’s environmental value. Thanks to the mixed quantitative-qualitative approach, insights on more effective communication tools, to strengthen the flow of advice and the connection between local authorities and actors, and a list of stakeholders whose role should be empowered were obtained. In conclusion, the case study of the Lombardy plain exemplifies how site-specific social traits can influence the achievement of the goals set out in the environmental European directives, although their assessment is not currently required. In socio-environmental sciences, the evaluation of the perceptions and behaviours of individual (or groups of) stakeholders is commonly suggested; however, the integration of a socio-relational analysis permits to point out the emerging obstacles and opportunities, resulting from the interaction among the parties involved.
Keywords: European Union Directives, nitrates, socio-hydrogeology, social network, contamination
9d. Law and sustainability
