Europe Scraps Fertilizers Ban

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Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)--The European Commission (EC) is scrapping controversial plans to cut the amount of fertilizers used in the European Union (EU) by 50% by the end of the decade.

Speaking at the European Parliament, EU President Ursula von der Leyen, admitted that the proposed Sustainable Use of Pesticide Regulation (SUR) had "become a symbol of polarization". "It has been rejected by the European Parliament. There is no progress anymore in the Council either. So we have to do something. That is why I will propose to the College to withdraw this proposal. But of course, the topic stays. And to move forward, more dialogue and a different approach is needed. And on this basis, the Commission could make a new proposal with much more matured content and with the stakeholders together."

The SUR legislation had called for a 50% reduction in the use of pesticides by 2030 as well as prohibiting their use in, or around, sensitive areas including urban areas, sports grounds and parks. The move to scrap the current plans represents a major climb down by the Commission, but the SUR has been widely rejected by many EU Member States, agricultural and chemical industrial groups. In recent weeks thousands of farmers have taken to the streets across Europe, using agricultural vehicles to block major towns and ports in protest to the SUR and other agricultural legislation.

Von der Leyen acknowledged the worsening situation: "While the European Council was in session, farmers from across Europe were taking to the streets. Many of them feel pushed into a corner. Farmers are the first in line feeling the effects of climate change. Droughts and floods have destroyed their harvests and threatened livestock. Farmers are feeling the impact of the Russian war. Inflation, the rising cost of energy and fertilizers. Nevertheless, they work hard every day, to produce the quality food we eat. For this, I think we owe them appreciation and thanks and respect. It is true that issues have escalated in recent years. Our farmers deserve to be listened to. I know that they are worried about the future of agriculture and about their future as farmers. But they also know that agriculture needs to move to a more sustainable model of production, so that their farms remain profitable in the years to come. And we want to make sure that in this process, the farmers remain in the driving seat."

The chemical fertilizer industry has fought hard against the SUR legislation through funded lobbying groups and industry associations. Industrial Info is tracking 142 fertilizer projects in Europe worth more than US$4.2 billion. Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Project Database can click here for the reports.

Farming association COPA-COGECA wrote: "This morning's announcement by President Ursula von der Leyen on the withdrawal of the SUR proposal puts an end to an impasse: this top-down proposal stemming from the Farm2Fork proposal was poorly designed, poorly evaluated, poorly financed, and offered little alternatives to farmers. The European Commission is finally acknowledging that the approach was not the right one, and is thereby reinforcing the credibility and importance of the ongoing strategic dialogue."

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also welcomed the decision: "I welcome the announcement of President Von der Leyen to withdraw the SUR regulation on pesticides. Crucial we keep our farmers on board to a more sustainable future of farming, as part of our determination to get the Green Deal done. The dialogue continues. The work continues."

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