Improved water quality through good agricultural practices
International AGWAPLAN conference 14 - 15 January 2009

The EU-life project AGWAPLAN has been running for three years. The end conference took place in Denmark on 14 – 15 January 2009.
The overall aim of the project is to facilitate the implementation of the Water Frame Directive and reduce the contribution of N and P to the environment. The project is carried out as partnership between agriculture, environmental authorities and research institutions.

During the project we have discovered and tested a row of methods which may contribute positively and actively to a smooth implementation of the Water Frame Directive.

The timing of the project has been most favourable since all European countries were to have their overall water planning ready by 22 December 2008. Participating in the conference would be a valuable tool in order to form an overall impression of how the different countries intend to implement the WFD.

The subjects for the conference were:

• Estimation of good environmental status in line with the WFD
• Prediction models for Nitrate leaching; Phosphorus index
• Good agricultural practice, examples and impact
• How to combine environmental and farm data for sustainable production
• From source to recipient – processes affecting N and P levels
• Collaboration between environmental authorities, research and farming - an integrated approach
• Sociological studies

The conference participants were:

• Colleagues from other projects in the EU working on the above subjects
• Politicians in Europe with an interest in better integration of agriculture and environment
• European researchers with interest and/or expertise in the above subjects
• Environmental authorities in Europe
• Agricultural advisors in Europe
• Stakeholders and other interested parties