The ECR Group today welcomed positive elements in the European Commission’s Fertilisers Action Plan, while warning that European farmers still need stronger and more immediate measures to reduce costs and restore competitiveness.

During a plenary debate in the European Parliament, ECR Coordinator on agriculture Carlo Fidanza MEP underlined that affordable and reliable access to fertilisers is essential for Europe’s food security, agricultural production and strategic resilience, particularly at a time of geopolitical instability and growing pressure on farmers. “European farmers have put forward clear and concrete requests: while the suspension of duties on fertilizers imported from third countries is a positive step, it is time to tangibly address the application of CBAM and the ETS on fertilizers,” he said. “We cannot continue to drive up their costs today while our businesses are already crushed by rising energy prices, geopolitical instability, and a loss of competitiveness.”

He continued:

“In this framework, the announced and still undefined compensations may provide temporary relief, but farmers need stronger and more immediate answers.

“However, we welcome the greater flexibility granted to Member States to deviate from the Nitrates Directive while awaiting its revision, as well as the fact that the path is finally opening up for digestate, as we have requested since the very beginning of this mandate.”