The first
meeting of the HELCOM on
Sustainable Agricultural Practices () has started today in Copenhagen, Denmark. Agricultural sector has been
identified in the Baltic Sea as having important potential for environmental
gains in relation to the nutrient losses and the status of the marine
environment. The Agri group, composed of agriculture and environmental
authorities, will find solutions within this sector on how to reduce nutrient
loads and further contribute to reaching Good Environmental Status of the
Baltic Sea by 2021.>> Upgrading of manure storages is one way to reduce harmful nutrients leaching into the environment. Photo: Helena Rosenlew. >The major
task of the group is to identify and revise the outdated items in the international
which
address prevention of pollution from agriculture in the Baltic Sea Region (Part
2 of the Annex III). The Group is expected to outline the steps to fulfill this
task by 2016 as agreed by the HELCOM Ministerial Meeting in 2013. >> >The use of
nutrients in the agricultural sector should be more effective and few key ways
have been identified, such as development of standards for nutrient content in
manure and application of nutrient accounting system at the farm level. Another
key action is the recycling of nitrogen and phosphorus generated at the farms
i.e. for fertilization, instead of nutrient input from external sources.> >>Reducing
the leaching of nutrients to the environment at different stages of the
agricultural production is another major set of measures preventing nutrient
input to the Baltic Sea. This can be done through improving the related
techniques and practices; and by upgrading of manure storages or drainage
systems. Related studies carried out in the region will be presented at the
Meeting. >> >. All documents will be public after the Meeting.>> >* * *>Note for
editors>>The HELCOM
Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices () deals with
agriculture in relation to the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach
and involves representatives from agriculture and environment authorities of
the Baltic Sea countries, as well as EU and HELCOM Observers. The group
provides a platform for agri-environmental policy measures and instruments and
joint discussion on the Baltic agriculture in the context of the protection of
the marine environment, in order to address nutrient inputs and emissions from
agriculture.>> >The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission, usually referred to
as , is an
intergovernmental organization of the nine Baltic Sea coastal countries and the
European Union working to protect the marine environment of the Baltic Sea from
all sources of pollution and to ensure safety of navigation in the region.
Since 1974, HELCOM has been the governing body of the ‘Convention on the
Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area’, more commonly
known as the Helsinki Convention.>> >* * *>For
further information please contact>>Dmitry Frank-KamenetskyProfessional SecretaryHELCOMTel: +358 40 630 9933Skype: helcom68E-mail:
dmitry.frank-kamenetsky(at)helcom.fi>> >Johanna Laurila>Information Secretary>HELCOM>Tel: +358 40 523 8988>Skype:
helcom70>E-mail:
johanna.laurila(at)helcom.fi
Revision of the Annex III of Helsinki Convention continues in the meeting of the new HELCOM Group on Sustainable Agricultural Practices in Copenhagen, Denmark.
