Nitrate emissions from agriculture
Agriculture and horticulture can cause nitrate emissions that increase the eutrophication of water systems. The problems are prevented by, for example, Espoo’s environmental protection regulations. A notification must be submitted about activities increasing eutrophication, such as spreading manure in November.
Efforts are taken to prevent the increase of eutrophication due to nitrate emissions by means of provisions concerning, among other things, soil fertilisation, the use and storage of livestock manure, silage effluent recovery, as well as the placement of livestock shelters and exercise areas. Nitrate emissions are regulated by the Nitrates Decree, which applies to all animal shelters, agriculture and horticulture.
In order to reduce nitrate emissions from agriculture in Espoo, there are provisions and instructions regarding stables and manure handling in Espoo’s environmental protection regulations. The environmental issues of animal shelters are supervised by the Environment and Building Control Department, which must be notified of, for example, storing manure in windrows and spreading manure in November.