A meeting on the implementation of the EU Directive 91/676/EC concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources was held on 14 December.
Ms Irina Punga, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Moldova, participated in the meeting.
The meeting was organised with the support of the EU4Environment Water and Data Programme. Two French experts from the International Office for Water presented France's experience in implementing the EU Nitrates Directive.
The participants discussed the protection of water against nitrate pollution in rivers and groundwater through the implementation of specific measures and codes of good agricultural practice.
Irina Punga stressed that the efficient management of water resources is a priority for the country:
"Pollution of water resources is a serious problem in the Republic of Moldova, especially due to excessive use of nitrates and fertilizers in agricultural activities. Given the country's status as a candidate for EU accession, issues related to the harmonisation of EU directives are of paramount importance in the work of the Ministry of Environment and other central authorities".