How to Enhance the Role of Science in European Union Policy Making and Implementation: The Case of Agricultural Impacts on Drinking Water Quality

Abstract

Throughout the European Union (EU), high concentrations of nitrates and pesticides are among the major polluting components of drinking water and have potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health. Many research projects co-funded by the European Commission have been carried out, but the results often do not influence policy making and implementation to the extent that is duly justified. This paper assesses several issues and barriers that weaken the role of science in EU policy making and EU policy implementation in the case of agricultural impacts on drinking water quality. It then proposes improvements and solutions to strengthen the role of science in this process. The analysis is conceptual but supported empirically by a desk study, a workshop, and complementary individual interviews, mostly with representatives of organizations working at the EU level. The results indicate that perceived barriers are mostly observed on the national or regional level and are connected with a lack of political will, scarce instruction on the legislation implementation process, and a lack of funding opportunities for science to be included in policy making and further EU policy implementation. In response to that, we suggest translating scientific knowledge on technological, practical or environmental changes and using dissemination techniques for specific audiences and in local languages. Further, the relationship between data, information and decision making needs to change by implementing monitoring in real-time, which will allow for the quick adaptation of strategies. In addition, we suggest project clustering (science, policy, stakeholders, and citizens) to make science and research more connected to current policy challenges and stakeholder needs along with citizen involvement with an aim of establishing sustainable long-term relationships and communication flows.

Sustainable Agriculture: Nutritional Benefits of Wheat–Soybean and Maize–Sunflower Associations for Hibernation and Reproduction of Endangered Common Hamsters

“…Other farmers developed double-cropping systems such as rye-pea (Figure 6C) or wheatpea (Figure 6E); such associations were implemented because they are similar to the wheatsoybean association and naturally provide nitrogen to the soil. While these innovations and responses are not proof of success (their durability and benefits for hamster populations remain to be determined), they offer opportunities for real-time monitoring, allowing the quick adaptation of strategies through policymaking [62]. Indeed, once knowledge on an endangered species is acquired, it can take years for measures to be implemented through policymaking, if implemented at all [63].…”

Mutual Learning and Policy Transfer in Integrated Water Resources Management: A Research Agenda

“…Six contributions to this Special Issue-by Demirbilek and Benson [52], Fritsch [53], Glavan et al [54], Pellegrini et al [55], Schröder [56], and Waylen et al [57]-study the implementation of EU water policies; another one by Fidelis et al [58] examines a setting directly and indirectly shaped by Brussels although no direct reference to the EU is being made. All six EU-centred contributions focus on the WFD whereby Glavan et al [54] and Waylen et al [57] analyse the Directive in conjunction with other EU water policies. A brief introduction into the WFD is therefore in order.…”

“…This then raises the question of knowledge exchange in IWRM, and the role that scientific inputs play in institution building, river basin planning, and implementation of measures. Looking into a range of water-related EU policy initiatives, including the WFD, Glavan et al [54] investigate this topic. The authors identify areas of improvement, but also opportunities for a better integration of scientific findings in water management.…”

Nitrogen in Water-Portugal and Denmark: Two Contrasting Realities

“…Research on this topic has not had a sufficiently high influenced enough on policy making or implementation, due to the differences in countries or regions characteristic in terms of natural aspects but also regarding the sectors that drive N losses into water. Barriers that prevent science-based information to further influence EU policy making are mostly national and regional and relate to the lack of political will, of incentives to adoption and of implementation of command and control legislation [60]. Moreover, the lack of current understanding of the effects of the measures on the real water quality improvement, further complicates science contribution to policy making [61].…”