NITROGEN BALANCES AT FARM-LEVEL AS A TOOL TO MONITOR EFFECTS OF AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

Nitrogen balances at farm level are an important tool for monitoring t he effects of agri-environmental policy in the European Union. Nitroge n surpluses, defined as the difference between input and output flows, are a pressure indicator to link agricultural activities with environ mental quality indicators related to various environmental components. Agricultural and environmental policies both aim to contribute to the achievement of less intensive production methods, and nitrogen balanc es are tools to monitor changes in the agricultural sector towards the ir achievement. The implementation of the Nitrates Directive seeks to contribute to the reduction of nitrogen losses to the environment by i mproving nutrient management in EU agriculture.