WWF report: EU's water policy is failing 

In a new report presented on 13 November 2003, the conservation organisation Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) assessed the water policies of 22 countries (EU Member States, future Member States and non-EU countries). Finland, Switzerland, and Belgium-Flanders came out best, while Italy, Greece, and Spain were ranked the lowest across a range of water issues.

In general, the report shows a lack of political will to comply with the EU's Water Framework Directive. The directive which was adopted in October 2000, has to be implemented in the Member States before 22 December 2003. It aims to improve the management of Europe's freshwater rivers, lakes and wetlands.