Source: European Parliament
The Commission’s proposed measure[1] is designed to gradually phase out the EU’s dependence on Russian nitrogen-based fertilisers through a transitional approach.
This involves measured annual duty increases on Russian imports over an extended period, minimising potential price impacts. Alternative supplies are available, with market data indicating that these alternatives enter the EU market at price levels comparable to Russian fertilisers[2].
Therefore, if adopted in its current form, the Commission expects the measure to result into a gradual and orderly replacement of Russian nitrogen-based fertilisers with alternatives, including domestically produced ones, under similar market conditions and in comparable volumes and quality, not changing present environmental impacts.
As a result, the Commission does not anticipate the need to compensate EU farmers or grant derogations under the Nitrates Directive[3] in connection with this proposal.
However, the proposal mandates that the Commission monitor nitrogen-based fertiliser prices for four years following the regulation’s implementation.
If prices rise substantially, which is not expected to be the case, as explained above, the Commission will assess the situation and take appropriate measures to address the increase.
These measures may include proposing the temporary suspension of tariffs on affected goods imported from sources other than Russia and Belarus, among other possible actions.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/detail?ref=COM(2025)34&lang=en
- [2] Difference of around 1% during the year of 2024 after considering that the latter supplies a EU’s Common Customs Tariff of 6.5%, to which EU domestic production and preferential trade suppliers are not subject.
- [3] htttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?qid=1561542776070&uri=CELEX:01991L0676-20081211