Phosphorus and agriculture: state of regulations in France

The discharge of phosphorus into the environment can come from various sources: urban water, agriculture, industry, etc. The 1991 Urban Wastewater Directive and the ban on phosphates in detergents have made it possible to significantly reduce discharges of phosphorus from urban sources.

In this framework, the International Office for Water (IOWater) relied on its network of experts to produce a synthesis and to be interested in the question of the regulation of phosphorus from agriculture. This summary, entitled "Phosphorus and agriculture: State of law in France", proposes an inventory of the main regulatory references existing at the national level on phosphorus in agriculture.

An IOWater study is also under way on the same theme, this time centred on other European countries (publication should be effective at the end of 2018). This second study will provide a better understanding of how some neighbouring countries approach this issue.

• Consult the synthesis "Phosphorus and agriculture: state of law in France".