Strategic issues - European union

Close to three-quarters of Europeans think that the EU should propose additional measures to address water problems in Europe, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. Citizens appear to be concerned about both water quantity and quality. The Nitrates Directive requires Member States to monitor waters and identify those affected, or likely to be affected, by pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. It requires Member States to designate as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones all known areas of land in their territories that drain into these waters and which contribute to pollution. In particular, the Commission is concerned that Italy has failed to put in place a number of measures to achieve the ?good status? objectives set for river basins before the agreed deadline and the requirement to keep an updated register of protected areas. The Commission also has concerns about Italy?s transposition of Annexes II and V of the directive.