PRESS RELEASE
ALDE Press & Communication Service

24.10.2017

Fertilisers: New rules to boost innovative and safer products

MEPs today backed new rules to open up the single market for the free circulation of fertiliser products, while creating new market opportunities for innovative fertilisers from organic and recycled materials, thus contributing to the circular economy. The proposals adopted today introduce limits for heavy metals, such as Cadmium, in order to enhance food safety, while intending to reduce the EU’s dependence on nutrients imported from third countries.

Kaja Kallas, Shadow-Rapporteur in the IMCO-Committee, commented today:

“This regulation is not only setting limits but is also opening opportunities for European producers to come up with new solutions. With this regulation we want to maximise the innovative potential of the fertilising industry. Producers should be encouraged to keep thinking outside the box. That is why we ensure that there is a possibility to update the regulation in the future and to keep the door open to further research and innovation.”

Fredrick Federley, Shadow-Rapporteur on this file in the ENVI-Committee, said:

“It is about time we tackled the issue of Cadmium at EU level. Cadmium is one of the most cancerogenic substances that we are exposed to in our everyday lives. If we don’t manage to secure a decrease in its usage, there is a big risk that the substance makes it all the way from the fertiliser in our soil to the food on our plates. We need strict limits to it in order to secure and enhance food safety.”

Jan Huitema, Rapporteur of the AGRI-Opinion, added:

“The new fertilisers regulation opens up more opportunities for organic fertilisers, giving farmers the possibility to use their own animal manure as much as possible instead of the use of fertiliser. This will contribute to the circular economy. It’s better for the environment and more cost-effective for farmers.”

ENDS

For more information, please contact
Birte Grages
Tel : +32 2 283 45 32
Mob : +32 475 63 59 07
Email : birte.grages@europarl.europa.eu