19
EU
policy
Overall policy
objective(s)
Explicit and implicit links to
NWRM or similar
Source
EUWater
Blueprint
To ensure that a
sufficient quantity of
good quality water is
available for people's
needs, the economy
and the environment
throughout the EU.
The EUWater Blueprint promotes alternative land
use practices for contributing to the achievement
of WFD good ecological status, making specific
references to NWRM. In particular, it states the
following:
Among the measures that can greatly contribute to
limiting the negative effects of floods and droughts
is green infrastructure, particularly NWRM. These
include restoring floodplains and wetlands, which
can hold water in periods of abundant — or
excessive— precipitation for use in periods of
scarcity. Green infrastructure can help ensure the
provision of ecosystem services in line with the
EU Biodiversity Strategy. Reducing soil sealing is
another measure that can diminish flood risks.
These measures should be included in both RBMPs
and FRMPs and, as mentioned, should become a
priority for financing under the CAP, Cohesion and
Structural Funds.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE
COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS. A
Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's Water
Resources
Common
Agricultural
Policy (CAP)
Enhancement of
environmental
performance through
a mandatory ‘greening’
component of direct
payments which will
support agricultural
practices beneficial for
the climate and the
environment.
CAP ‘greening’ measures including crop
diversification, maintaining permanent grassland
and ecological focus areas will account for 30%
of single farm payments.
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE
COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE
COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS The CAP
towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural
resources and territorial challenges of
the future
Rural
Development
Regulation
(RDR)
Restoring, preserving
and enhancing
ecosystems related to
agriculture and forestry,
Water retention is an implicit objective in the
EU’s priorities for rural development. Article 5
of Regulation 1305/2013 refers to restoring,
preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to
agriculture and forestry, with a focus on the
following areas:
a) restoring, preserving and enhancing
biodiversity, including in Natura 2000 areas,
and in areas facing natural or other specific
constraints, and high nature value farming, as
well as the state of European landscapes;
b) improving water management, including
fertiliser and pesticide management;
c) preventing soil erosion and improving soil
management.
REGULATION (EU) No 1305/2013 OF
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF
THE COUNCIL of 17 December 2013 on
support for rural development by the
European Agricultural Fund for Rural
Development (EAFRD) and repealing
Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005
Reasonsforselectingand implementingNWRM
