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European Legislation (european + legislation)
Selected AbstractsThe Water Framework Directive and agricultural nitrate pollution: will great expectations in Brussels be dashed in Lower Saxony?ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 4 2007Britta Kastens Abstract This paper discusses the opportunities and constraints regarding the effective implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the area of diffuse nitrate pollution. Owing to the subsidiarity principle and a new procedural mode of governance, the WFD only sets distinct environmental targets, leaving most decisions on how to operationalize and institutionalize the reduction of diffuse nitrate pollution to the member states. This is a particular challenge for Germany, where lower scale regions have become the main implementers of European water policy. Successful implementation of the WFD, i.e. the actual improvement of water quality, depends on a series of key contextual and contingent factors, operating at a regional scale. In a Northwest German region with intensive agriculture and severe nitrate pollution, we analyse the historical and economic context and actor network of the region as well as the influence of environmental groups on public participation, the potential of biogas technology and new financial options. Besides the specific influence of these factors on the implementation process, we explore the uncertainties and difficulties surrounding European legislation and its operationalization in Germany and on a regional scale. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Development and application of a species sensitivity distribution for temperature-induced mortality in the aquatic environmentENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2008Pepijn de Vries Abstract Current European legislation has static water quality objectives for temperature effects, based on the most sensitive species. In the present study a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) for elevated temperatures is developed on the basis of temperature sensitivity data (mortality) of 50 aquatic species. The SSD applies to risk assessment of heat discharges that are localized in space or time. As collected median lethal temperatures (LT50 values) for different species depend on the acclimation temperature, the SSD is also a function of the acclimation temperature. Data from a thermal discharge in The Netherlands are used to show the applicability of the developed SSD in environmental risk assessment. Although restrictions exist in the application of the developed SSD, it is concluded that the SSD approach can be applied to assess the effects of elevated temperature. Application of the concept of SSD to temperature changes allows harmonization of environmental risk assessment for stressors in the aquatic environment. When a synchronization of the assessment methods is achieved, the steps to integration of risks from toxic and nontoxic stressors can be made. [source] Information needs to support environmental impact assessment of the effects of European marine offshore wind farms on birdsIBIS, Issue 2006A.D. FOX European legislation requires Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) of national offshore wind farm (OWF) programmes and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for individual projects likely to affect birds. SEAs require extensive mapping of waterbird densities to define breeding and feeding areas of importance and sensitivity. Use of extensive large scale weather, military, and air traffic control surveillance radar is recommended, to define areas, routes and behaviour of migrating birds, and to determine avian migration corridors in three dimensions. EIAs for individual OWFs should define the key avian species present; as well as assess the hazards presented to birds in terms of avoidance behaviour, habitat change and collision risk. Such measures, however, are less helpful in assessing cumulative impacts. Using aerial survey, physical habitat loss, modification, or gain and effective habitat loss through avoidance behaviour can be measured using bird densities as a proxy measure of habitat availability. The energetic consequences of avoidance responses and habitat change should be modelled to estimate fitness costs and predict impacts at the population level. Our present ability to model collision risk remains poor due to lack of data on species-specific avoidance responses. There is therefore an urgent need to gather data on avoidance responses; energetic consequences of habitat modification and avoidance flights and demographic sensitivity of key species, most affected by OWFs. This analysis stresses the importance of common data collection protocols, sharing of information and experience, and accessibility of results at the international level to better improve our predictive abilities. [source] Nickel hypersensitivity: a clinical review and call to actionINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2010Sarah E. Schram MD Nickel sensitivity is common and increasing in prevalence. This review discusses nickel sensitivity and its association with body piercing and other environmental factors, occupational relevance, and potential implications for implantable metal medical devices. In addition, current European legislation that limits the release of nickel from jewelry is highlighted and an argument for similar legislation elsewhere is presented. [source] Can Language Politics Ensure Languages Survival?LINGUISTICS & LANGUAGE COMPASS (ELECTRONIC), Issue 6 2008Evidence from Italy In light of the minority language revitalization trend, which has spread throughout Europe, encouraged by International and European legislation, at the end of the last century, an Italian law was approved to give a national framework to minority language preservation and renaissance. The status and prestige of minority languages thus appeared to be strengthened, though several theoretical and practical problems continue to impede national implementation of the law. Some of these problems , the different language minorities present in Italy, the linguistic variety that should be used in public settings and the nature of the language that is the object of the national language policy , are examined in this article. The purpose of this article is to consider the pros and cons of Italian language policies and politics through case studies representative of Italian sociolinguistic diversity, thus highlighting the roadblocks to protecting minority languages. [source] Discharge consents in Scotland,PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE (FORMERLY: PESTICIDE SCIENCE), Issue 6 2002Andrew J Rosie Abstract The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is charged with the protection of the Scottish environment, and this is achieved through the regulation of polluting discharges and through consulting, influencing and educating others who interact with it. This paper describes aspects of the agency's regulatory work as it applies to the Scottish fish-farming industry. By far the largest sector of the industry in Scotland involves the rearing of fin-fish in cages, presently still dominated by Atlantic salmon, and the paper is based on experiences gained within this sector. The present circumstances affecting its development are described with reference to the environmental impacts associated with cage-rearing techniques used for production in marine waters. This paper briefly reviews the statutory background behind Scotland's system of discharge consents, including relevant aspects of European legislation. Methods developed to control the environmental risks posed by sea louse treatment chemicals are described. The concept of farming the sea is explored in relation to SEPA's ,allowable zone of effects' approach and the growing public concern about perceived environmental damage. Finally, the future prospects for the industry in Scotland are reviewed in relation to sea louse control. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Use of white clover as an alternative to nitrogen fertiliser for dairy pastures in nitrate vulnerable zones in the UK: productivity, environmental impact and economic considerationsANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007M. Andrews Abstract Perennial ryegrass and perennial ryegrass/white clover permanent dairy pastures are compared with respect to productivity, environmental impact and financial costs in nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZ) in the UK. With appropriate management, and utilisation of recommended perennial ryegrass and white clover cultivars, white clover is likely to stabilise at around 20% of total dry matter production in a mixed pasture. Plant dry matter production and milk production from a perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture are likely to be similar to that from a perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 200 kg N ha,1 annum,1 and around 70% of that obtained with perennial ryegrass supplied with 350,400 kg N ha,1 annum,1. Nitrate, phosphorus and methane losses from the system and decreases in biodiversity relative to a grazed indigenous sward are likely to be similar for a perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture and a perennial ryegrass pasture receiving 200 kg N ha,1 annum,1: nitrate leachate from both systems is likely to comply with European legislation. Greenhouse gas emissions resulting from nitrogen (N) fertiliser production would be avoided with the perennial ryegrass/white clover pasture. Within NVZ stocking rate restrictions, white clover can provide the N required by a pasture at a lower financial cost than that incurred by the application of N fertiliser. [source] | |||||||||||||