Brussels, 08/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - How can phosphorus be used more sustainably in order to ensure its availability for future generations whilst limiting its negative impact on the environment? The European Commission has its own ideas on the subject and suggests avenues for reflection in a consultative communication adopted on Monday 8 July, to launch the debate and open up the prospects for this essential component of fertiliser and animal feed, reserves of which are running out and which is currently being used in a way which causes water pollution. The European institutions and all interested parties (general public, national authorities, NGOs and businesses) are invited to submit their observations by 1 December 2013. The Commission will examine these during the course of 2014 and will include the results of this consultation in the relevant fields of action - agricultural policy, work on raw materials, water and waste.
Phosphorus, which is extensively used in agriculture, has no substitute, prices have been volatile and there are considerable levels of wastage throughout the entire food production cycle. The combination of all of these factors threatens the availability of future reserves, both in Europe and elsewhere in the world.
“Using phosphorus more efficiently will reduce its impact on the environment and improve security of supply. We can also create new business opportunities in the recycling sector”, European Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik explained.
Among the possible options listed in the communication are a more targeted use of fertiliser and feed, reducing soil erosion and encouraging the recycling of phosphorus in manure, waste water and compost. Interested parties are invited to reflect on what could be done to encourage recovery from other sources, such as food and biodegradable waste. The consultation also asks for views on how to tackle the issues of supply and demand, how to handle risk of soil contamination and which technologies or innovations should be promoted to improve the sustainable use of phosphorus.
Most phosphorus comes from phosphate rock mines, but as there is only one such mine in the EU, the majority of phosphate rock used in the EU is imported from North Africa and Russia. Some forms of phosphorus re-use, such as manure and sewage sludge spreading, are common throughout the Union, but the phosphorus contained in these sources is not always used in the right places or in the right way to ensure that they are taken up by the crops. The EU is working to improve market access for some of these sources of recycled phosphorus, notably through a revision of the fertiliser regulation. (AN/transl.fl)