EU farmers protest at new Fertiliser Action Plan

Farmers from across Europe descended on Strasbourg on 19 May, calling for more support to help businesses deal with exceptionally high input costs, as fuel and fertiliser prices soar.

The EU Commission published its Fertiliser Action Plan, which it says is designed to support farmers in the EU facing rising fertiliser costs and scarcity, reinforce domestic production and reduce dependency on imports.

However, European farming groups have spoken out against the EU’s Fertiliser Action Plan saying it fails to deliver immediate relief for farmers.

See also: Farmers demand halt to fertiliser carbon tax plans

The Action Plan includes financial support, a new liquidity scheme to help with cash flow, and incentives for more efficient farming practices.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “With this Action Plan, we are investing in a stronger European fertiliser industry, supporting European farmers and accelerating innovation in sustainable, home-grown solutions.

“The ongoing fossil fuel crisis shows that climate leadership and economic resilience are interlinked.

“This is why Europe is building a future based on sustainability, affordability and industrial strength.”

However, Irish Farmers’ Association president Francie Gorman said the action plan doesn’t address the seriousness of the “fertiliser crisis”.

Mr Gorman said: “Unless farmers are offered the appropriate support now, we will be looking at a lower supply of fodder moving into the winter which will damage the situation further.

“Our tillage sector is also hugely exposed to high fertiliser prices, and growers will simply not be in a position to plant winter crops in the autumn if support is not forthcoming.”

Mr Gorman also called on the commission to suspend the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (Cbam) levy, which places a carbon tax on imported fertiliser.

He added: “The Commission has to suspend Cbam tariffs on fertiliser in the face of such severe global supply chain uncertainty. “

European umbrella farming organisation Copa-Cogeca said the action plan contained no immediate measures that would give farmers hope of economic relief for the short term with the Middle East crisis.

A Copa-Cogeca spokesman said: “The European agriculture sector is heading straight towards a fertiliser wall, while the European Union monitors and hesitates when it should be taking action, because otherwise tomorrow it will be all European consumers who will find themselves up against the wall.”

The organisation estimates that the Cbam levy on imported fertilisers could ultimately cost EU farmers up to €39bn (£33.9bn) over seven years.