European Parliament gives the go-ahead for the urgent procedure on fertiliser prices

Brussels – The urgent procedure will be applied to measures supporting farmers affected by rising fertiliser prices. This was decided today (16 June) by the European Parliament, following the relevant proposals presented by the European Commission in the Fertiliser Action Plan. 

The measures include €540 million in financial support for the purchase of fertilisers and targeted adjustments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to enable EU Member States to provide farmers with faster, more flexible support to access these products. This also includes advance direct payments to help farmers settle their debts with banks and suppliers. Member States may also adjust their direct payment allocations for 2027 to prevent farmers who have not yet purchased fertilisers from changing their crop choices ahead of the upcoming sowing season. 

The urgent procedure will enable the European Parliament to fast-track the normal legislative process by bypassing the preliminary examination stage in the relevant parliamentary committees. The vote is scheduled for the July plenary session. 

Agricultural production in the European Union relies on nitrogen fertilisers for 30 per cent and on phosphate fertilisers for 70 per cent. The EU’s domestic production, on the other hand, is based mainly on natural gas. Prices for both types—like energy prices—have risen due to geopolitical tensions, including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the war in Ukraine.