A new tool to calculate the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus used in agriculture has been developed by European researchers. Surplus nitrogen and phosphorous, typically used in fertilizers, can negatively affect air and water quality. EU-funded researchers have now created MITERRA-EUROPE, a model that enables comparisons to be made between different EU countries. The researchers have used the model to assess the efficiency of various policy measures, and to estimate the effects of anti-pollution strategies. The scientists say that a combination of measures to combat ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching was the most effective way to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus pollution.