31.12. 91 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 375/1 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) - COUNCIL COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (91/676/EEC) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in partlcular Article 130s thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), ~ Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament {2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas the nitrate content of water in some areas of Member States is increasing and is already high as compared with standards laid down in Council Directive 75/440/EEC of 16 June 1975 concerning the quality required of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the Member States (4), as amended by Directive 79/869/EEC (5), and Council Directive 80/778/EEC of 15 July 1980 relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption (¢), as amended by the 1985 Act of Accession; (1) OJ No C 54, 3. 3. 1989, p. 4 and O] No C 51, 2. 3. 1990, p. 12 (2) O] No C 158, 26. 6. 1989, p. 487. (3)'OJ No C 159, 26. 6. 1989, p. 1. (4) O] No L 194, 25. 7. 1975, p. 26. (5) O] No L 271, 29. 10. 1979, p. 44. (6) OJ No L 229, 30. 8. 1980, p. 11. Whereas the fourth programme of action of the European Economic Communitics on the environment (7) indicated that the Commission intended to make a proposal for a Directive on the control and reduction of water pollution resulting from the spreading or discharge of livestock effluents and the excessive use of fertilizers; Whereas the reform of the common agricultural policy set out in the Commission’s green paper ‘Perspectives for the common agricultural policy’ indicated that, while the use of nitrogen-containing fertilizers and manures is necessary for Community agriculture, excessive use of fertilizers constitutes an environmental risk, that common action is needed to control the problem arising from intensive livestock production and that agricultural policy must take greater account of environmental policy; Whereas the Council resolution of 28 June 1988 of the protection of the North Sea and of other waters in the Community (8) invites the Commission to submit proposals for measures at Community level; 4 Whereas the main cause of pollution from diffuse sources affecting the Community’s waters in nitrates from agncultural sources; (7) OJ No C 328, 7. 12. 1987, p. 1. (8) O] No C 209, 9. 8. 1988, p. 3.