Two-year review
Article 12
1. The competent authorities shall submit, by 30 June 2023, with the report described in Article 13, corresponding to the year 2022, an annex containing the results of monitoring as regards the nitrates concentrations of groundwater and surface waters and the trophic status of surface water bodies, based on the monitoring network and requirements of the Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC and including at least maps showing those areas draining into waters where monitoring data reveal: (a) average values of nitrate concentrations above 50 mg/l or increasing trends of nitrates concentration compared to 2021; (b) ‘Eutrophic’ status or ‘could become eutrophic’ status with a stable or worsening trend compared to 2021. Waters identified by either point (a) or (b) of the first subparagraph shall be considered as polluted, at risk of pollution or showing worsening trends. The data for the estimation of the average values shall cover the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. For the assessment of trends, the data from 2021 and 2022 shall be compared. 2. For the elaboration of the annex referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, the data used shall be taken from the monitoring network set up under Directive 91/676/EEC. 3. As from 1 January 2024, in areas draining into polluted or at-risk-of-pollution waters or presenting worsening trends, additional measures shall be applied under the Nitrates Action Programme. For farms that have been granted an authorisation pursuant to this Decision and located in such areas, the amount of manure that may be applied to the land shall not exceed 220 kg nitrogen/ha per year. 4. The competent authorities shall inform the Commission, by 30 September 2023, of the outcomes of this two-year review, and in particular on the areas and farms with an authorisation where the maximum amount of manure to be applied is 220 kg nitrogen/ha per year and of the additional measures to be applied within the Nitrates Action Programme.