Djaout, Fabien

The Cost of the EU Nitrate Directive - 2009.


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In Brittany, animal concentration is responsible for water pollution. French water policy does not comply with the EUWater Framework Directive – in contrast to northern European countries, where the “polluter pays” principle has stimulated manure markets. We estimate the cost of the Nitrate Directive and simulate manure markets in Brittany. A linear model minimizes the cost of manure management constrained by the Nitrate Directive. Farms process or export their manure in the short run and reduce their livestock in the long run, by 20% to 40% depending on species. A manure market generates significant savings compared with a no-trade situation or a regional livestock-preservation plan.