In a written answer on 18 June 2026, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen rejected calls to suspend the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for fertilisers, arguing it would not benefit EU strategic autonomy, while highlighting tariff relief and a new action plan to ease cost pressures on farmers. The response addresses concerns from MEP Carmen Crespo Díaz (PPE, Spain) that volatile fertiliser prices, estimated to add EUR 170 million in annual costs, threaten EU farming competitiveness and food security.
Hansen confirmed that anti-dumping duties on urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) imports from Russia, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US were renewed on 7 January 2026 until 10 January 2031, but noted a suspension is possible for up to nine months if the Union interest and market conditions justify it. He also pointed to tariff suspensions for ammonia, urea, and other nitrogen fertilisers from non-Russia, non-Belarus origins until 31 May 2027, and said several US fertilisers will benefit from zero duties once the 2025 EU-US Turnberry agreement enters into force.
On CBAM, Hansen stated the Commission does not consider suspension beneficial, but noted a 1% mark-up on default values for fertiliser embedded emissions — lower than for other sectors — and a temporary state aid framework adopted to help member states support farmers. He referenced the Commission's Fertiliser Market Observatory, launched after a November 2022 communication, and the Fertiliser Action Plan adopted on 19 May 2026, which includes short-term measures such as mobilising the agricultural reserve and liquidity support, and long-term goals to boost EU production, low-carbon fertilisers, and circular nutrient sources.
Hansen added that all member states, including Spain, have had opportunities to express positions during Agriculture and Fisheries Council discussions. The answer signals the Commission's preference for targeted relief and long-term resilience over suspending CBAM, balancing farmer competitiveness with climate and strategic autonomy objectives.