Application of the LMAW-DNMA method in the evaluation of the environmental problem in the agriculture of selected European Union countries

Abstract

The research of environmental problems in all sectors, and therefore in agriculture, is very challenging, significant and complex. For that purpose, special indicators adapted to the very nature of its business were developed for the agricultural sector. Environmental problems in agriculture are caused by the use of chemical inputs, animal waste, packaging waste, soil pollution, water and air pollution, etc. Bearing in mind the significance of the environmental problem in agriculture, this paper evaluates (selection and ranking) the environmental problem in the agriculture of selected European Union countries based on the LMAW-DNMA method as a function of mitigation by applying relevant environmental measures. According to the results of the LMAW-DNMA method, the top five countries of the European Union in terms of environmental problems in agriculture are, in the following order, Poland, France, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy. In countries such as Slovenia (twentieth place), Estonia (twenty-first place) and Luxembourg (twenty-second place), the environmental problem in agriculture is less pronounced than in the other observed countries of the European Union. In order to alleviate the environmental problem in agriculture in the European Union countries, environmental measures are taken, such as increasing organic production, digitization, and environmental taxation.