| dc.description.abstract | THE POLICY PROCESS IN ESTONIA:
WATER POLLUTION CAUSED AGRICULTURE.
AIBSTRACT
Estonia is one of several states in ffie transition Som a socialist to a pluralist society, and has been experiencing radical changes in ie latter years. One ofthe legacies from the Soviet system is a degraded environment; and the pollution of water caused by agnculture is one of the problems f'acing Estonia. Due to a decline in agricultural produciion and less use of pesticides and mineral fertilisers, the water quality has improved in ie recent yearss Nevertheless, a culture remains a source of pollution and stcps are being talcen to solve the problem.
The relatiosl between agnculture and the cnvironment is oRen conflictive, because the agricultural sector has interests in maximising production while environmental interests stress the need for non-intensive agriculture and a change in production methods resulting on smaIler production oututs. The existence of a conflict will largely depend upon the perception of the prob!ern and the perceptions of costs and benefits involved in solving the problem. Many individuals and groups of individuals have nterests at stake, and the chosen policy direction will reflect the various actors åccording to their influence on the policy process.
There are several indicators of policy direction, and is study points out the legal framework, (other) political decisions and adrnnistrative structures to be the most impoItant ones. Whereas the legal framework for reducing pollution is extensive in Estoniao relatively little resources are spent on monitoring and contol of obedience to ie laws and regulations. Political decisions include embracing the concept of sustainable development and the practices of EDEP and BAT, but few environmental prograxnmes are implemented. The country has joined international environmental orgaxiisations and signed environmental conventions, but eff.orts to improve the administrative units responsible for environmental protection are ailing.
Several factors contibute to explaining iis development the COUtlty is in the rriiddle of a trsnstion processS d the main attention has been given to the restructuring of the economy and ie reforrn of pnvatising the land. Economic and social hardships halre led to a priority away Eonl environmental values. Several actors are engaged in the policy field concerned wiffi agricultural pollution of water. This study 1Ooks into the policy nctwork within this issue area, wbich consists of the governtnent, the Parliament and the political parties, and the public opinion, interest goups, scientific cotmmunities and intemational actors/agreements. The study examines to what extent these groups are incorporated in the policy process, their perceptions of the problems, their strategies for obtaining influence and their success in this respect.
The study concludes that although several actors perceive the water pollution caused by agricululre to pose a problem, the actors most central to the policy process (the politicims) do not give priority to the problem. This may be concluded from the lax implementation and monitoring of environmental laws regulating this area, and a lack of resources in the responsible ministies and other public authorities. | nor |