Overview

• The Federal Administrative Court upheld a prior ruling requiring Niedersachsen and Nordrhein-Westfalen to improve measures against nitrate pollution in the Ems region.
• The decision follows a successful lawsuit by the Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), which argued that existing protections were insufficient.
• Excessive nitrate levels in groundwater, primarily caused by agricultural practices like manure fertilization, pose health risks and threaten drinking water supplies.
• The court emphasized that even a single groundwater monitoring station showing worsening conditions necessitates action under EU water protection laws.
• A related question on the validity of extending nitrate threshold deadlines has been referred to the European Court of Justice for clarification.