Water pricing and irrigation: a review of the European experience.

Abstract

This paper reviews the European irrigation sector and its water pricing policies. An overview is given of the irrigation sector in terms of surface water, economic importance and water usage. Some of the issues that have called the attention of the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) with respect to pricing irrigation water in Europe and OECD countries are discussed. The water pricing policies that were in place in EU's various member states and accession countries prior to the promulgation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) are examined. Finally, the likely implications and effects of the application of the WFD in the European irrigation sector are analysed.