The European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (Fertilizers Europe - FE) has issued a press release welcoming the European Commission's recognition, through its new Fertilizer Action Plan, of the strategic importance of European fertilizer production for food security, agricultural resilience, and industrial competitiveness. FE emphasizes that farmers and fertilizer manufacturers are part of the same value chain, and therefore, measures must be addressed jointly and in a balanced manner.

However, the Association believes that the Plan must now be translated into concrete, rapid and applicable measures, as it still does not sufficiently address the structural pressures affecting the sector, especially high energy costs, the risk of carbon leakage, the regulatory burden and the loss of competitiveness compared to third countries.

FE supports short-term support measures for farmers in the face of high prices and market volatility, but insists that these must be integrated into a broader approach that also ensures the maintenance of the European fertilizer production base.

FE also emphasizes the need to strengthen the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) and to consider the sector's specific situation in the upcoming review of the ETS (European Emissions Trading System), including greater flexibility and a more gradual withdrawal of free emission allowances. It also reiterates that organic and reclaimed nutrients are complementary to, but not complete substitutes for, mineral fertilizers, which remain essential for European food security.
In short, FE considers the Commission's Fertilizer Action Plan a positive starting point, but not a sufficient solution on its own. It calls for clear timelines, effective measures on energy and carbon costs, targeted support for industrial investment, and structured collaboration between policymakers, farmers, and fertilizer manufacturers.


Link to FE's press release: https://www.fertilizerseurope.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Fertilizers-Europe_Press-Release_Fertiliser-Action-Plan_-1.pdf