História da evolução da regulamentação de proteção ambiental relativa à gestão de efluentes e resíduos vitivinícolas nas ultimas décadas

Abstract

In this article we analyse the history and the evolution of the environmental protection regulations related to the Winery effluents and wastes management in the last 3 decades (after Portugal's accession to the EEC).

For some centuries we have realized the importance of preserving the environmental fauna and flora for our survival and for maintaining f the planet earth in good conditions to allow the survival of future generations (sustainable development, nowadays we speak in circular economy).

However, in industrialized European countries, regulation has occurred mainly in the last 3-4 decades, increasingly integrating environmental concerns, and gradually evolving from a mere concern with the technical process of wastewater treatment to a more global perspective of sustainable economy.

Understandably, the concern of legislators first began by management of effluents and wastes from hazardous/toxic industries, progressively extending to others such as human, agro-industrial and agricultural wastes.

Usually the legislation from the European Union serves as a guide, being transposed posteriorly and regularly (sometimes a few years later) into the legislation of the several countries members of the EU, in the most diverse areas. This legislation often comprises the full range of the area, from raw materials, products and effluents, including waste management, reuse of materials, water protection, conditions for the use of sludge from wastewater treatment plants and the fight against nitrate pollution.

These EU Directives are therefore the basis of the texts that each member state should have transpose as soon as they can.