Commission proposes to strengthen the autonomy of the EU’s agricultural sector
On Friday, 16 October, the European Commission put forward a draft proposal to help reduce costs for farmers and decrease our reliance on chemical fertilisers. By reducing dependency, this proposal aims to make European farmers less vulnerable to price shocks resulting from geopolitical instability and help close nutrient cycles. This will also increase the autonomy of the EU’s agricultural sector.
As announced in the EU Fertiliser Action Plan and the Livestock Strategy, this proposed targeted amendment of the Nitrates Directive would give Member States greater flexibility to allow farmers to use certain liquid digestates derived from livestock manure, while ensuring environmental protection.
These nutrient-rich fertilisers sufficiently similar to mineral fertilisers could then be used as an alternative to chemical fertilisers, in a safe way to ensure the continued protection of waters and the environment. The REcovered Nitrogen from manure (RENURE) rules adopted in March 2026 already allow the use of RENURE fertilisers above the limit for the application of manure and processed manure set by the Nitrates Directive. But as geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global fertiliser markets continue to affect the affordability and accessibility of fertilisers for farmers, the proposed amendment will extend exemptions to certain types of liquid digestates that can also comply with the RENURE criteria.
The proposal is supported by a new report by the Commission’s Joint Research Centre assessing the potential for the safe use of agricultural digestates as fertilising materials.
Citizens and stakeholders – including farmers, civil society, public authorities, and researchers – are encouraged to give their feedback on the Commission’s draft targeted amendment until 13 November 2026. After analysis of the feedback received, the Commission will send its proposal to the Member States in the Nitrates Committee. If the Committee votes in favour, the proposal will then be transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council that will have three months to formulate any objections.
You can find more information on the draft targeted amendment to the Nitrates Directive online.
