EU looking at stockpiling fertiliser into a reserve

The European Commission has confirmed that it is looking at stockpiling fertiliser into a reserve as a result of concerns over supply disruptions during the conflict in the Middle East.

The Commission was responding to a call from MEP Ciaran Mullooly at a recent agriculture and rural development committee meeting.

Mullooly is urging the Commission to establish an EU strategic fertiliser reserve modelled on Europe’s oil reserve.

He highlighted the vulnerability of farmers to sudden disruptions in fertiliser availability and price volatility.

“The energy crisis and the ongoing instability in the Middle East have really exposed just how vulnerable Europe’s fertiliser supply has become. We’ve seen shortages and then price increase after price increase,” the MEP said to the committee.

“Without fertilisers, farmers cannot produce the crops that feed our citizens. Fertiliser is not simply just another agricultural input, it is a strategic resource that underpins Europe’s food security.”

He pointed to recent geopolitical tensions and logistical challenges that have exposed weaknesses in current supply chains, noting that the EU imports around 30% of its nitrogen fertilisers and over 60% of its phosphate fertilisers, leaving it highly exposed to external shocks.

Options

In its reply, the Commission acknowledged the concerns raised and confirmed that it is actively examining options for a more resilient fertiliser supply, including the potential establishment of strategic reserves.

“It is all the more important to look into the medium-term measures, first of course to have in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), a robust instrument to manage market disturbance while at the same time building long-term resilience,” director general of DG Agri Elisabeth Werner stated at the meeting.

Mullooly welcomed the Commission’s openness to the proposal, but emphasised the need for swift and concrete action to ensure that European farmers can continue to produce food sustainably and competitively in an increasingly uncertain global environment.