Estonia

This case area is different compared to the other case areas as it has a stronger policy focus attempting to develop policies to enhance the implementation of the NVZ action plan through bringing together a “task team” and suggesting policy adaptations. The pilot area is a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) of 3250km2 is located in the central-eastern part of the country. This is the only NVZ in Estonia, and it was established in 2003 to comply with the Nitrate Directive and the Water Framework Directive. The reason for designation is to set restrictions to the land use because the area is karst area, where the ground water is poorly protected, ie pollution from fertilisers, pesticides and other sources penetrate easily to the groundwater. On the other hand, the NVZ area is of high soil quality farmland, where the average yields of crops are the highest in the country. NVZ occupies parts of two river basins – the East- Estonian (with 19 surface water bodies) and West-Estonian (with 33 surface water bodies) river basin.

• Report from case area Nitrate Vulnerable Zone in Estonia (Summary report on the challenges and conclusions from the case area)
• Case Area – Pandivere & Adavere-Poltsamaa (PPT presentation of case area)
• Midterm case area Estonia (Project mid-term review from case area)
• Estonia Policy recommendations (Recommendations to enhance implementation of the action plan in the Pandivere & Adavere Poltsamma NVZ).