Report by Christina Gestrin

Page 1:Implementation of the BSPCEutrophication reportrecommendations and the HELCOMBaltic Sea Action Plan17th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)Christina Gestrin, MP, Rapporteur on EutrophicationiimOF FINLANDPage 2:28.8.2008BSPC Working Group on theEutrophication of the Baltic Sea 2006-2007Established in January 2006Mandate: To raise political and gublie awareness on the urgent problems ofeutrophication in the Baltic Sea caused by major of Nitrogen and Phosphorousdischarge from countries surrounding the Baltic Sea.The Working Group was chaired by Asmund Kristoffersen (Norway) from the NordicCouncil and had members from all parliaments participating in the BSPC.The working group presented 25 recommendations directed to HELCOM, The Council ofthe Baltic Sea States (CBSS) as well as the governments in the region.The recommendations were adopted by the 16th BSPC in Berlin 27-28 August 2007.im PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 3:28.8.2008Recommendations of the BSPCWorking Groupe Generale Agriculturee Sewage and Waste Watere Airborne Nitrogen Emissionse Shipping and Maritime Activitiese Public Awareness, Research and DevelopmentPARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 4:Recommendation nr 3“The Helcom Action Plan, BSAP, which is basedon ecological objectives is welcomed. Allgovernments of the region are strongly urged tosupport an ambitious plan, to commit to the plan,and to implement it fully.”i PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 5:28.8.2008The HELCOM BSAP was approved in Krakow in 2007The BSPC Standing Committee appointed arapporteur in October 2007 on the follow-up ofthe implementation of the recommendationsadopted by the 16th BSPCThe BSPC Standing Committee extended themandate of the rapporteur to comprise also theimplementation of the HELCOM BSAPim PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 6:The HELCOM BSAP comprises eutrophication, maritimetransport, biodiversity and hazardous substancesIn 2010, all countries involved should have their ownnational action plansIt is expected that the Baltic Sea can manage a maximumof 21 000 tons of phosphorous and 600 000 ton of nitrogento uphold good ecological statusGood ecological status obtained 2021PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 7:Reducing the Discharge of P and NPhosphorous Nitrogen (tons)Denmark 16 17 210Estonia 220 900Finland 150 1 200Germany 240 5 620Latvia 300 2 560Lithuania 880 11 750Poland 8 760 62 400Russia 2 500 6 970Sweden 290 20 780Total 15 250 135 000im PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 8:Focal Points on EutroficationDischarge from municipals:e efficient water treatment in both areas of highpopulation as well as rural arease reduction of P in laudry and dishwaterdetergants.e could reduce up to 20 % of P-discharge!Discharge from agriculture:e A list of so called "Hot Spots” will be compiled| PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 9:Plausible Challengese The St Petersburg area; 20 million poultry todaye Agriculture in Poland; the transition-time to reachEU-standarde Climate change -> more raine Maritime oil accident; large parts of the areasurrounding the Baltic Sea would be affectedPARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 10:of28.8.2008First announcement concerning the rapporteurship was inNovember 2007 sent to all Parliaments of the Region, bothnational and regional, and to the CBSS.The Rapporteur was approved by HELCOM as Observer of theImplementation Process of HELCOM BSAP.A questionnaire was sent to Parliaments and Governments inthe Baltic Sea region.The questionnaire was to be handed in on the 31st of March2008.PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 11:28.8.2008Questions to Parliaments:1. How and when has your parliament been informed about theeutrophication recommendations from BSPC and how are yougoing to deal with the question in your Parliament?2. Which measures will your Parliament take in order to support theimplementation of the recommendations on eutrophicationincluded in the BSPC resolution?3. Have you provided the eutrophication recommendations to yourGovernment and are you going to do a follow-up on whichactions are taken in order to implement the recommendations?im PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 12:28.8.2008Questions to Governments:1. Have your Government been given the Final Resolution includingthe eutrophication recommendations from the 16th BSPC?2. Which measures will your Government take in order toimplement the recommendations given by the Parliamentariansin the Baltic Sea Area and what is the schedule for thesemeasures?3. How is your Government proceeding with the implementation ofthe HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan? Do you already have aschedule for the implementation or a national plan for improvingthe environmental state of the Baltic Sea?im PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 13:Answers from Parliaments andGovernmentse Norway, Lithuania, Germany, Estonia,Finland andPoland have submitted answerse The process is still in its beginning stagese Governments still preparing, parliaments not yetmuch involvede National action ought to be ready in 2010e EU directive for water frame and directive fornitratePARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 14:J28.8.2008The Rapporteur is involved in the work of theHELCOM Implementation Group; the cooperationwith HELCOM is very importantThe implementation group has so far had twomeetingsMinister, former Ambassador Ole Norrback is thechairman of the BSAP IPPARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 15:Not just a walk in the park...+ All member countries have participated in meetings+ National reports on the implementation process have beenpresented- Same person in the Heads of Delegations and in the BSAP IG ->two roles difficult to combinate. IG should concentrate on the _implementation dog and put igor on governments. Politicaldisagreements should be solved by governments.- Requirements of updating nutrient reduction targets might slowdown the process and make it more complicated? Who pays ?? Who's in charge ?im PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 16:Urgent action is needede Governments and Parliaments of the member countriesshould actively and continuously stay involved in theimplementation process of the BSAPe National action plans should be drafted as soon as possibleto be able to stay on schedulee Funds should be dedicated by the governments for projectdevelopment.PARLIAMENTOF FINLANDPage 17:JMOMENTUMIs this our last chance to save the Baltic Sea?A political challenge that has to be successful!www.bspc.netwww.helcom.fiPARLIAMENTOF FINLAND