The NGO European Environmental Bureau (EEB) filed a complaint with the European Ombudswoman, on 1 April, alleging maladministration by the European Commission in the preparation of its proposal to amend the manure limits set by the Nitrates Directive. Adopted on 9 February, these rules on ‘RENURE’ fertilisers allow Member States to exceed the current limit of 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare from manure (see EUROPE 13804/6). According to the EEB, the Commission has bypassed a number of essential safeguards: not demonstrating any genuine emergency to justify fast-tracking the measure, failing to carry out a comprehensive impact assessment based on the best available evidence, inadequate public consultation and inconsistencies with its own ongoing assessments. The NGO is warning of the increased risks of water pollution and eutrophication, while agriculture remains the main source of nitrogen pollution in Europe. For more details: https://aeur.eu/f/lfb (LC)