By Judith Ugwumadu | 13 May 2014
The European Union has only been partially successful in integrating water policy goals into the €50bn common agricultural policy, the European Court of Auditors concluded today.
In a special report, the auditors said the lack of total success was due to a mismatch between the ambitions of the policy objectives and the instruments used to bring about change.
The audit highlighted weaknesses in two instruments that used to integrate water concerns into the CAP: the cross-compliance tool, a mechanism that links certain CAP payments with specific environmental requirements; and the rural development fund, which provides financial incentives for actions going beyond compulsory legislation to improve water quality.
‘They are not commensurate with the policy ambitions set out for the CAP and the even more ambitious goals set by the CAP regulations for 2014-2020 periods,’ the auditors said.
Agriculture is a major user of water across Europe and places pressure on water reserves and the EU attempts to use the CAP to influence agricultural practices affecting water.
But the auditors found there was insufficient knowledge both within EU institutions and at member state level on information necessary to fully inform policymaking about the pressures placed on water by agricultural activities and how those pressures were evolving.
Kevin Cardiff, the ECA Member responsible for the report, said: ‘In Europe, agriculture is, quite naturally, a major user of water – around one-third of total water use, and is a source of pressure on water resources, for example through nutrient pollution in water.
‘While there has been progress, the EU Commission and member states need to better integrate water policy concerns with the common agricultural policy to ensure long-term sustainable water use.’
The ECA recommended that the European Commission ensures it had the information required to measure the pressures placed on water by agricultural practices. Member states should also play their part by providing data on water in a more timely, reliable and consistent manner.
