IFA President Appears Before Agri Committee of European Parliament on Fertiliser Crisis

IFA President Francie Gorman addressed the Agriculture Committee of the European Parliament this week on the fertiliser crisis.

Speaking in his capacity as Vice-President of COPA, he acknowledged the Fertiliser Action Plan put forward by Commissioner Christophe Hansen in May.  

However, it does not provide the effective response required to deal with the crisis.

“The funding of €540m has yet to translate into concrete support at farm level. Farmers need urgent action and ahead of purchasing decisions for the 26/27 season. We also want to see a truly European approach rather than what is in place at the moment.”

Francie Gorman raised the impact of CBAM, the cost of which to farmers could reach almost €12bn over seven years.

“COPA-Cogeca wants the immediate suspension of CBAM during the current market crisis and the retention of Article 27a as a safeguard during a crisis,” he said.

The IFA President also referred to the Nitrates Directive and the need for greater flexibility to use nutrients. He looked for a review of all regulations around water quality, saying the framework in place at the moment is not fit for purpose.

In summary, he told members of the Committee that prices remain above 2019 levels, production costs are increasing and the policy response remains insufficient and fragmented.

“European farmers need immediate measures to restore access to affordable fertiliser; strengthen production capacity here; maintain competitive imports; and ensure climate policies do not undermine our competitiveness.”