Fertilisers, EU: OK for anti-crisis measures but within the framework of the CAP
In the plan announced by the Commission 'before the summer' a strengthening of the agricultural reserve and more flexibility on advances and the use of digestate. But the figures made available are not specified
If there continues to be a shortage of fertiliser in the European countryside, Europe will have to produce it itself, and farmers facing soaring costs that have almost doubled in one year will be compensated, perhaps and in due course. The European Commission will 'provide exceptional and targeted support to European farmers facing soaring fertiliser costs', but it will do so 'through the tools already existing under the Common Agricultural Policy'.
In particular, the EU executive will propose to mobilise the EU budget to strengthen the agricultural reserve (currently worth 450 million per year) "by a considerable amount. This financial package will be presented before the summer to provide immediate cash relief to farmers before the next production cycle and will help support agricultural production.
There are no figures in the European action plan presented today by the Commission to tackle the fertiliser crisis due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and for this reasonit is not difficult to understand the disappointment of farmers demonstrating in Strasbourg to demand instead concrete action in the face of "an unprecedented crisis that puts Europe's food security at risk", as the president of Copa, Massimiliano Giansanti pointed out.
"With this action plan, we are investing in a stronger European fertiliser industry, supporting European farmers and accelerating innovation in sustainable and local solutions. The ongoing fossil fuel crisis shows that climate leadership and economic resilience are interconnected. That is why Europe is building a future based on sustainability, accessibility and industrial strength," said Chairwoman of the Executive, Ursula von der Leyen, pointing out that the plan aims to promote domestic production by facilitating the use of digestate "but with appropriate environmental clauses" and announcing the revision of the Nitrates Directive to make it easier for farmers.
In addition, the Commission announced that it would soon present a new legislative package "that will allow Member States to make full use of the support available under their existing CAP strategic plans. This will include new liquidity to help manage cash flows, more flexibility for advance payments, and enhanced incentives for more efficient farming practices that reduce and optimise fertiliser use, switch to organically produced fertilisers, and invest in agricultural resilience where needed". Another announcement that can simply be translated into more flexibility in the use of existing funds.
