Commission proposal on trade defense measures against fertiliser imports from Russian/Belarus: A medium-term strategy is crucial for EU food security along with urgent fixes to mitigate severe economic harm for farmers
Copa and Cogeca have raised serious concerns over the European Commission’s recent proposal to impose sanctions on fertiliser imports from Russia and Belarus, warning that the move could lead to extensive economic harm for EU agriculture. The current proposal leaves European farmers and their cooperatives up against a wall without viable or alternative solutions, while no prior impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate its effects on food security and the economy.
During its Praesidia meeting last week, Copa and Cogeca acknowledged geopolitical challenges and the need to reduce Europe strategic dependencies while outlining concrete measures to limit the immediate shock on the EU fertiliser market and a medium-term diversification strategy. The EU needs to diversify its suppliers, boost its own production, develop more environmentally friendly alternatives for fertiliser sourcing, and recognise the role of the circular economy, including on-farm solutions such as manure and digestates.
In their position paper, Copa and Cogeca call on the Commission to immediately put forward the removal of import duties on fertilisers from third countries other than Russia and Belarus, and to prioritise the use of manure by making derogations to the limit set by the Nitrates Directive for processed manures and pastures.
In addition, Copa and Cogeca call on co-legislators to postpone of one-year of the entry into force of the proposed modification of tariffs on fertilisers originating in Russia and Belarus to allow market adaptation, the limitation of the scope of application to nitrogen fertiliser exclusively, avoidance of overlapping anti-dumping measures and CBAM duties, and higher import quota rates based on pre-war levels. They also advocate enhancing price monitoring and triggering reliable and automatic safeguard measures when fertiliser prices exceed reference levels.
Fertilisers are essential for crops and pastures and present a central cost factor for European farmers. The matter is of vital importance for food security and sovereignty. An impact assessment is also urgently needed as the EU cannot afford to play deadly games with its agriculture. Copa and Cogeca urge all EU institutions to address this matter as a priority, as the Commission’s current proposal risks having damaging effects as early as summer 2025.
Fonte: Copa Cogeca
