Following decades of international collaboration to restore the Baltic Sea, we provide an assessment of the domestic implementation of measures agreed to limit diffuse agricultural pollution and the patterns of policy instruments applied. Despite the Helsinki Convention being unusually specific in detailing what measures countries should introduce, we find many shortcomings. These are most pronounced in the larger countries (Poland, Germany and Russia), while smaller countries perform better, notably Sweden and Estonia. The patterns of policy instruments applied differ, influenced by domestic politics. The limited use of complementary policy instruments suggests that other priorities overrule full and effective implementation, with engagement mirroring the advantages that a restored Baltic Sea can bring to countries. Using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support farmers in managing nutrients, particularly advisory services and investments in modern manure management technologies, represents a significant opportunity for reducing agricultural pollution in most countries.

在为恢复波罗的海进行了数十年的国际合作之后，我们对国内实施的限制扩散性农业污染的措施以及所应用的政策工具模式进行了评估。尽管赫尔辛基公约在详细说明各国应采取的措施方面异常具体，但我们发现了许多不足之处。这些在较大的国家（波兰、德国和俄罗斯）最为明显，而较小的国家则表现更好，尤其是瑞典和爱沙尼亚。受国内政治影响，所采用的政策工具模式各不相同。互补性政策工具的有限使用表明，其他优先事项优先于全面有效的实施，而参与反映了恢复的波罗的海可以为各国带来的优势。