The European Commission’s newly released Fertiliser Action Plan sends an important political signal about the future of nutrient management in Europe. By recognising the role of home-grown fertilisers, nutrient recycling, circularity and improved nutrient management, the Action Plan acknowledges the growing importance of Europe’s organic-based and circular fertiliser sector in strengthening resilience, competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

ECOFI welcomes the Commission’s recognition of the “important potential” of organic-based and recycled fertilising products to help reduce Europe’s dependency on imported inputs while supporting more sustainable farming systems. By converting locally available nutrient streams into high-quality fertilising products, the sector can help support farmers, strengthen food security and contribute to a more resilient European food system.

The Action Plan also rightly recognises that the transition towards more sustainable nutrient systems will not happen through supply-side measures alone. Improving nutrient management and nutrient use efficiency will be essential, alongside greater farmer uptake of circular and organic-based fertilisers. ECOFI therefore welcomes the emphasis placed on CAP support for nutrient-efficient farming practices, advisory services, nutrient management planning and measures that can help accelerate the deployment of circular nutrient solutions across Europe.

At the same time, this Action Plan must be seen for what it is: a welcome first step — but not yet enough.

The real test will now be implementation. Europe’s organic-based fertiliser sector has long faced significant regulatory fragmentation and barriers that limit market access, investment and scaling across the Single Market. The Action Plan correctly identifies the need to reduce bottlenecks across key legislative frameworks, including the Fertilising Products Regulation, the Animal By-Products Regulation and the Waste Framework Directive. Delivering coherent, workable and proportionate rules across these frameworks will be essential if Europe is serious about developing lead markets for circular and bio-based fertilisers.

As discussions continue around digestates and RENURE materials, it will also be important to ensure that the development of circular nutrient pathways supports nutrient efficiency, predictability, traceability and balanced nutrient management across regions. Supporting the development of regulated fertilising products that can circulate freely across the Single Market will be critical to enabling nutrient valorisation at scale and providing farmers with reliable, high-quality solutions where they are needed most.

The direction of travel is positive and important. However, if the EU wants to truly unlock the potential of organic-based fertilisers, further ambition will still be needed — including clearer regulatory pathways, stronger market incentives and faster implementation measures that allow circular fertilisers to compete on equal terms across Europe.

ECOFI looks forward to continuing to work closely with the European Commission, policymakers and stakeholders to help ensure that the ambitions set out in the Fertiliser Action Plan are translated into practical solutions that support farmers, strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy and accelerate the transition towards a more competitive and sustainable agricultural system.