EU agriculture ministers on 26 May 2026 broadly welcomed the European Commission's Fertiliser Action Plan but diverged on the urgency and scale of financing, with several member states pressing for faster, more ambitious measures to tackle fertiliser prices that remain 70% above 2024 averages.
At the Agriculture and Fisheries Council chaired by Cyprus, Commissioner Christophe Hansen presented the plan, which combines short-term relief — mobilising the €200 million agricultural reserve (to be doubled), a targeted CAP package with liquidity schemes and advanced payments, and facilitating digestate use under the Nitrates Directive — with structural steps such as a fertiliser value chain partnership, a market observatory, and exploring ETS revenues for carbon farming.
Czechia called for swift action, criticising CAP strategic plans as too slow and urging use of the agricultural reserve and temporary tariff suspensions. Portugal emphasised EU-level solutions to avoid internal market distortion, supported suspending duties and reducing CBAM levies to 1%, and proposed a competitiveness fund for biofertiliser research. Hungary stressed the risk of fertiliser shortages and asked for clarity on beneficiary groups for exceptional support. The Netherlands welcomed the focus on bio-based and circular fertilisers, particularly digestate. Luxembourg urged maximum flexibility for member states and rapid implementation with minimal red tape.
Croatia expressed disappointment that the plan lacked ambition on medium-term measures, noting insufficient preparation for geopolitical shocks. Greece highlighted three priorities: exceptional support, CAP flexibility, and market transparency.
The Commission will now work with co-legislators to adopt the proposed measures urgently, with a focus on the 2027 planting season. The debate exposed a cleavage between member states seeking immediate, large-scale intervention and those prioritising structural reform and flexibility. Affected stakeholders include EU farmers facing input cost pressures, fertiliser producers adjusting to new circular-economy rules, food processors exposed to price volatility, and consumers facing higher food prices.