Springer Governance of Water-Related Conflicts in Agriculture: New Directions in Agri-Environmental and Water Policies in the EU: 37 (Environment & Policy, 37)

The book contributes to a better understanding of the role such co-operation can play in complying cost-effectively with European environmental legislation, in particularly the EU Nitrates and Water Framework Directives, and in achieving a sustainable agriculture. The feasibility of meeting environmental standards by the application of voluntary agreements between farmers and water suppliers is analysed as a more economically efficient and environmentally effective means compared to applying alternative instruments like command-and-control and taxes. In addition, the potential of voluntary co-operative agreements for achieving a more flexible European Union water policy as well as for reforming the Common Agricultural Policy is assessed. The book will appeal to those researching and working in achieving a more sustainable water management and agricultural practices. Review From the reviews: "CAs are voluntary agreements negotiated between farmers and water suppliers … . This is a very empirical and concrete book, providing very useful documentation of the European experience with CAs since the 1990s. … For those working on water and environment issues in other parts of the world, notably the developing world, this book provides interesting insight into how the process of the internalisation of environmental concerns into national, regional and local water policy and practice is happening in Europe." (Peter P. Mollinga, Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, Vol. 45 (4), 2006)