A Commission Staff Working Document published on 23 July 2026 evaluates Romania's implementation of the Nitrates Directive for the 2020-2023 period, highlighting a rise in eutrophication affecting 54.7% of surface water monitoring points, up from 51.6% in the previous period. The document, based on national reports and EU data, provides recommendations to improve water protection from agricultural nitrate pollution.
Romania has applied a mandatory action programme nationwide since 2013, replacing designated nitrate vulnerable zones. The programme was revised in 2021, introducing changes to fertilizer prohibition periods, application rules, buffer strips near watercourses, manure storage, and record-keeping. The Commission recommends reinforcing efforts to address eutrophication, considering phosphorus fertilization limits, ensuring inter-sectoral cooperation, simplifying measures without compromising results, and promoting best practices and innovation.
10.7% of monitoring points exceed the 50 mg/l nitrate threshold, down from 12.6% in the previous period, but 27.7% of points show increasing trends, indicating persistent pollution. Surface water nitrate levels remain low, with 0.6% exceeding 50 mg/l, but 7% exceed the eutrophication-relevant threshold of 10 mg/l. Agricultural pressures include livestock density (0.34 LSU/ha) below the EU average, while nitrogen and phosphorus balances are negative, indicating net nutrient removal from soils.
Control measures are implemented by the National Environmental Guard and the Payments and Intervention Agency for Agriculture (APIA), with non-compliance highest for manure storage at 6.5%. The document notes that climate change and limited farm size and compliance capacity pose challenges to effective implementation. Future measures should align with the Water Framework Directive objectives and address nutrient load reductions needed to improve water quality.
Romanian farmers face potential new restrictions on phosphorus use and simplified but possibly stricter measures, increasing compliance costs. National authorities must enhance inter-sectoral cooperation and enforcement, requiring administrative resources. EU taxpayers may see continued funding for agricultural programmes linked to water quality improvements. Environmental NGOs gain evidence to push for stronger action on eutrophication hotspots in Nord-Est, București-Ilfov, and Sud-Est regions.