A group of 37 MEPs, led by Mathilde Androuët (PfE), has asked the European Commission to suspend the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on fertilisers and to adopt a contingency plan to protect EU farmers from surging nitrogen fertiliser prices triggered by the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. The MEPs argue that the crisis exposes the EU's structural weaknesses in industrial, energy and food sovereignty, and that regulatory costs from CBAM are compounding the price shock.
The oral question, submitted on 28 April 2026 under Rule 142, targets three concrete demands: immediate suspension of CBAM for the duration of the crisis, a pre-summer 2026 contingency plan to ensure physical availability and affordability of nitrogen fertilisers, and formal recognition of EU fertiliser production as a strategic sector linked to food sovereignty.
The question references the Commission's own action plan on fertilisers announced for Q2 2026 and notes that at the High Level Dialogue on Fertilisers, CBAM emerged as a major point of friction between producers and agricultural organisations. Several participants also called for a revision of the Nitrates Directive to facilitate use of digestate and manure, but the Commission ruled out suspending CBAM.
Policy orientation and ambition
The MEPs are pushing for a clear prioritisation of agricultural affordability over climate trade policy during the crisis. By demanding CBAM suspension and a fast-tracked contingency plan, they advocate for short-term relief and long-term strategic autonomy. The question also seeks to resolve regulatory contradictions that hinder alternatives like digestate, signalling a preference for domestic circular solutions over imported synthetic fertilisers.
Expected follow-up
The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks, by mid-June 2026. The answer will indicate whether the executive is willing to temporarily set aside CBAM—a cornerstone of the Green Deal—or will maintain its position that the mechanism does not need suspension. The response will also clarify the timeline and scope of the fertiliser action plan and whether the Commission is open to revising the Nitrates Directive.