EU Nitrate Directive Evaluation: Germany Warned Against Becoming 'Manure Pit of Europe'
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) criticizes Germany's implementation of the EU's Nitrate Directive, citing high nutrient loads and insufficient monitoring. The organization warns the country risks becoming a dumping ground for manure from other EU nations.
Berlin, July 15, 2026 – Environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has responded to the European Commission's evaluation of the EU's Nitrate Directive, urging Germany to enhance its oversight of agricultural fertilization practices.
The EU Commission's report highlights member states' responsibility to control nutrient pollution and reduce livestock farming in hotspot areas. Germany exhibits notably high levels of nitrogen and nitrate on agricultural land, with over 25 percent of its groundwater monitoring sites exceeding permitted nitrate limits. DUH accuses German authorities of failing to adhere to EU law and court rulings, and calls for a nationwide database to track fertilization efficiency.
According to DUH, shortcomings in German fertilizer legislation and control mechanisms in federal states facilitate manure imports. Last year, imports of liquid manure from the Netherlands to Germany increased by 41 percent. "Clean water for all can only be ensured in the long term if it is transparent who causes nitrate surpluses and who is responsible for the spread of manure," stated DUH's Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner.
DUH points to successful models in Denmark and the Netherlands, where nutrient data is collected digitally and effectively monitored. In Germany, fertilizer data has sometimes been recorded manually, hindering regulatory oversight. The organization advocates for changes to improve drinking water protection.