FERTILIZER USE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

After rejecting the Commission’s proposal for a revised Ground Water Directive in its first reading in 2005, the European Parliament has maintained most of its amendments to the Common Position tabled by the Council at the beginning of 2006. EFMA welcomed the Common Position, but opposed two of Parliament’s amendments as they were not compatible with the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrate Directive. This position, which was in line with that of certain farmers associations and more importantly with the Council itself, led to a new rejection by Parliament in its second reading, and a Conciliation procedure has been initiated for this important piece of legislation.

 

Furthermore, the inclusion of measures addressing phosphates in Member States’ action plans under the Nitrate Directive is becoming a concern in a number of countries where soil fertility could even be endangered in certain situations. We are coordinating industry actions in Member States where such situations occur.