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During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting held yesterday, May 26, in Brussels, several European Union agriculture ministers called for greater ambition in the fertilizer action plan presented by the Commission. Although member states welcomed the EU initiative to address rising agricultural production costs, several countries agreed that the proposed measures are still insufficient given the current market situation.
The European Commission presented a package aimed at mitigating the impact of high fertilizer prices and strengthening European food security. The measures include exceptional aid of approximately €400 million for European farmers, a legislative proposal to make CAP strategic plans more flexible, and measures to reduce dependence on synthetic and imported fertilizers by developing organic and bio-based alternatives.
During the ministerial debate, numerous countries emphasized the need to implement immediate measures to support farmers, strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy, and closely monitor developments in the fertilizer market. The ministers also underscored the importance of maintaining the competitiveness of the agricultural sector and ensuring affordable food prices.
Spain was one of the member states that most clearly expressed its reservations about the scope of the plan. The Secretary General for Agricultural Resources and Food Security, Ana Rodríguez, noted that the proposal “falls short” and criticized the lack of sufficient funding and a clear implementation timeline. Although she welcomed the push for the circular economy and organic fertilizers, or “Renure,” she cautioned that completely replacing mineral fertilizers is not feasible in the short term.
The debate reflects member states' growing concern about the vulnerability of the European fertilizer market to energy dependence, geopolitical instability, and international tensions over agricultural raw materials.
May 26, 2026 / 333 Staff with information from MAPA and the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
