Commissioner Christophe Hansen, on behalf of the European Commission, has detailed a series of measures to address fertiliser price pressures and input market disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, in a written answer to a parliamentary question from Barbara Bonte (PfE) dated 19 June 2026. The answer signals the Commission's recognition of structural fragility in agricultural input markets and its willingness to deploy faster derogation mechanisms, while pointing to a recently adopted Fertiliser Action Plan as the central framework for both short-term relief and long-term resilience.
The question, submitted on 7 April 2026, asked whether the Commission acknowledges that repeated geopolitical disruptions are destabilising fertiliser markets, whether it will introduce faster and more flexible derogation mechanisms, and what alternative measures it proposes. In his response, Hansen confirmed that the Commission is aware of the significant pressure on EU farmers due to elevated fertiliser prices, exacerbated by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The answer contains several concrete proposals and references to recent actions. On 19 May 2026, the Commission adopted the Fertiliser Action Plan, which includes short-term measures such as mobilising and possibly topping up the agricultural reserve, liquidity support under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and greater flexibility for advance payments. Longer-term measures focus on strengthening EU production capacity, supporting recycled nutrients and low-carbon alternatives, and reducing strategic dependencies on imports.
the application of a reduced flat 1% mark-up for default CBAM values for fertilisers, a Temporary State Aid Framework adopted on 29 April 2026, and the temporary suspension of duties for imports of ammonia, urea, and other nitrogen fertilisers from countries other than Russia and Belarus, within given quotas. Additionally, in February 2026, the Commission provided further flexibility under the Nitrates Directive for certain materials derived from manure processing (RENURE). The Fertiliser Action Plan also commits to exploring short-term measures to facilitate the use of digestates, such as extending the RENURE Act.
The policy orientation is one of proactive, multi-pronged intervention combining trade measures, state aid, regulatory flexibility, and investment in domestic production. The answer does not commit to a specific new fast-track derogation mechanism but points to the existing toolbox and the Action Plan as the vehicle for future flexibility. Institutional follow-up is expected through the implementation of the Fertiliser Action Plan, with further legislative proposals on RENURE and possible adjustments to CBAM and trade measures as conditions evolve.
EU farmers benefit from lower input costs through duty suspensions and CBAM relief, but face uncertainty over the duration of these measures. EU fertiliser producers face increased competition from imports under the duty suspension, though long-term support for domestic production may offset this. National authorities gain flexibility under CAP and state aid rules but must manage budgetary implications. Environmental groups may raise concerns over increased manure application flexibility under the Nitrates Directive, though the RENURE provisions aim to balance agronomic and environmental goals.