Extending the suspension of import duties for all mineral fertilisers, except those from Russia, and supporting the transition to organic fertilisers: the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture adopted a resolution on Tuesday 31 January which complements the November 2022 communication on fertilisers.
The draft resolution, which will be voted on at a February plenary session, was adopted with 38 votes in favour, 7 against and 2 abstentions (see EUROPE 13101/3).
MEPs want all mineral fertilisers, except those from Russia and Belarus, to continue to be temporarily exempt from import duties to stabilise prices.
MEPs call for organic alternatives to chemical fertilisers, such as RENURE (which have the potential to replace chemical fertilisers without causing additional emissions), to be allowed above the threshold in vulnerable zones (under the ‘Nitrates Directive’).
MEPs call on the European Commission: - to develop a long-term strategy for EU fertilisers and to present an EU Sustainable Soil Nutrient Strategy by June 2023; - to support farmers until the market stabilises and alternatives to mineral fertilisers become available.
The cut in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget should be compensated for in the mid-term review of the EU’s multiannual financial framework (MFF), add MEPs. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)