Presentation of the jean monnet module project at the meeting of the agrobiological faculty academic council

Project coordinator Larysa VOITENKO delivered a report “EU Nitrate Directive: Prevention of Nitrate Pollution for Environmental Health”.  This presentation was an important stage in the implementation of the Jean Monnet Module EU_NITRA_UKR (2025-2028) project, which is being realised at the Department of Analytical and Bioinorganic Chemistry and Water Quality. The topic is directly related to Ukraine’s European integration obligations, the Association Agreement, the EU Green Deal, and real challenges for the agricultural sector. 

The project presentation included an analysis of the content and results of the implementation of Directive 91/676/EEC, data from the NGO “Ecodia” for 2024-2025 on the level of nitrate pollution of groundwater in Ukraine, examples of violations (in particular, the case of the Kizka River in the Kyiv region), and European practices. The presentation included 24 slides with maps, graphs of pollution changes in Europe (1992-2019), and an overview of innovative solutions. 

The report began with a key thesis: full implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a prerequisite for barrier-free access of Ukrainian agricultural exports to the EU market within the framework of the Green Deal. The Directive aims to prevent the pollution of surface and groundwater with nitrates of agricultural origin. For agronomists, this means specific restrictions:

-       Nitrogen limit from organic fertilizers (manure, slurry, composts) - maximum 170 kg N/ha/year (exceedance only during processing - derogation);

-      Closed application periods (autumn-winter);

-      Mandatory manure storage tanks (4-6 months of supply);

-      Nitrogen balance (application does not exceed crop removal, taking into account soil reserves);

-      Buffer zones along water bodies (at least 10 m), prohibition of application on slopes, on frozen/flooded soil;

-      Use of catch crops to reduce leaching.

       Particular attention should be paid to identifying zones vulnerable to nitrate pollution, where all measures provided for by the Directive are mandatory, and to the code of good agricultural practices. In Ukraine, these principles are already partially reflected in voluntary codes, but mandatory programs and national rules are being implemented.

Drinking water contaminated with nitrates poses a direct threat to human health and even life. Nitrates cause methemoglobinemia (“blue baby syndrome”) and increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancers. They are particularly dangerous for infants, pregnant women, and the elderly. Unfortunately, boiling does not remove nitrates from water, but only concentrates them. Sources of nitrate pollution are numerous, including mineral and organic fertilizers, cesspools, and landfills. Unlike in European realities, in Ukraine, a significant proportion of pollution is not accounted for, falling into the “grey zone.” It is the result of the uncontrolled use of organic substrates in the private sector. These are thousands of small farms where manure is taken to gardens without complying with the norms and application deadlines.

 Barriers to implementation include an insufficient monitoring system for small rivers and wells, the lack of a fully defined nitrate vulnerable zones (NVZs), weak control over large enterprises (where fines are often perceived as operating costs), and the “grey zone” of private households.

The case of the Kizka River is a vivid illustration: long-term discharges of organic matter from a poultry farm lead to fish kills and eutrophication, despite millions in fines. This indicates the need for an effective source identification system and equal responsibility for all entities.

The project coordinator concluded the report with an overview of the project activities within the EU_NITRA_UKR project. The goal is to prepare students, schoolchildren, communities, and agronomists for European standards through:

-      Training courses for students;

-      Webinars for schoolchildren with laboratory demonstrations of water analysis;

-      Visits to communities in the Kyiv region with free testing of well water;

-      Education through social networks and project websites.

For agronomists, the future lies in adaptation technologies: RENURE (processed manure, which, from 2026, can be applied in the EU above the limit provided that the criteria are met), nitrification inhibitors (reducing nitrogen losses by up to 40%), precision farming based on NDVI, and CIPAN catch crops. Those who master these approaches will not only meet the standards but also save resources and increase profitability.

The audience actively discussed the issues: implementation deadlines, the responsibility of small and large producers, and the department's role in monitoring and integrating the topic into the curriculum. Colleagues supported expanding cooperation with communities and laboratory practices.

  This speech was an important step in establishing coordination and in calling for active cooperation among colleagues from specialized departments. Everyone agreed with the main message that the Nitrate Directive is not a bureaucratic burden, but an opportunity for the Ukrainian agricultural sector to become competitive, environmentally sustainable, and quality-oriented. Real pollution reduction is possible only with effective monitoring, clear NVZ zoning, and equal responsibility. The EU_NITRA_UKR project is our contribution to the training of specialists, the development of conscious communities, and the formation of responsible businesses ready for real European integration.

        After the report, an experimental case was conducted. We demonstrated the measurement of nitrate content in water, vegetables, and fruits using the HORIBA LAQUAtwin NO3-11 express tester.

The findings drew considerable interest from the council members. It is pleasant that the drinking water from the pump room near building 10 of the NUBiP of Ukraine is ideal in terms of nitrate content: it is 4 mg/l, which is below the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) of 50. However, with vegetables and fruits, not everything is so good. It was established that according to the requirements of the State Sanitary Rules and Regulations “Maximum Permissible Levels of Certain Pollutants in Food Products” dated May 13, 2013 No. 368, it was found that the nitrate content in an apple exceeds the norm - 78 mg/kg, and the MPC is no more than 60; in a cucumber grown in closed ground, - 110 mg/kg, which is significantly lower than the MPC - no more than 300. The highest exceedance was observed in tomatoes - 410 mg/kg, with a norm of no more than 150. 

Laboratory case: Demonstration of nitrate content measurement in an apple sample using the HORIBA LAQUAtwin NO3-11

The presentation and subsequent experimental results underscore the urgency of implementing the EU Nitrate Directive in Ukraine. The detected exceedance of nitrate levels in consumer products confirms that without systemic monitoring, NVZ zoning, and the adoption of “green” technologies like RENURE, ensuring food safety and environmental health remains a challenge. The EU_NITRA_UKR project continues to bridge the gap between European regulatory standards and local agricultural practices.