RENURE Derogation: Without Swift Action, the EU Risks Missing Out on a Key Sustainable Fertilisation Solution

Without swift action on RENURE derogation, the EU risks missing out on a key sustainable fertilisation solution. This is the warning issued by Copa and Cogeca, the European Biogas Association (EBA), and the European Agricultural Machinery Industry Association (CEMA) in a joint letter addressed to Commissioners Jessika Roswall (Environment) and Christophe Hansen (Agriculture). The organisations stress that a timely amendment to the Nitrates Directive will not enable the use of RENURE (Recovered Nitrogen from Manure) technologies. The EU could lose a vital opportunity to advance sustainable fertilisation practices. With EU farmers already under growing pressure and facing looming sanctions on fertiliser imports from Russia and Belarus, swift and decisive regulatory action is essential to avoid missing out on this strategic solution.

RENURE, a sustainable alternative to strengthen the EU’s fertiliser autonomy

RENURE, initially proposed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC), represents a sustainable, local alternative that could significantly strengthen the EU’s fertiliser autonomy. These technologies, including well-processed digestates, offer multiple environmental and economic benefits: reducing livestock emissions, enhancing nutrient recycling, and producing high-quality fertilisers and substrates. However, a clear and stable regulatory framework is urgently needed for farmers to invest and scale up these innovations.

Despite the Commission’s recognition of RENURE in its Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the European Parliament’s initiative report, the current regulatory framework continues to restrict RENURE under the Nitrates Directive. The draft amendment presented by the Commission does not align with the RENURE criteria defined by the JRC, nor does it uphold the principle of technological neutrality, which is crucial to ensuring fair competition, fostering innovation, and maintaining adaptable legislation over time.

Unjustified limitations and risk discouraging further development

The proposed amendment’s limitations, such as a closed list of approved “processing treatments” and a fixed cap of 100 kg N/ha/year for RENURE use, are seen as stifling innovation and contradicting the EU’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy goals. As RENURE products behave similarly to synthetic fertilisers, stakeholders argue that such limitations are unjustified and risk discouraging further development. The principle of technological neutrality was intended precisely to prevent legislation from becoming obsolete or overly restrictive.

Moreover, the Nitrates Committee has failed to progress on these issues in its last four meetings, blocking long-overdue secondary legislation that would enable a clear path forward. This lack of regulatory clarity sends contradictory signals to farmers, as while they are urged to adopt more circular and sustainable fertilisation practices, they face bureaucratic hurdles that hinder implementation.

MEPs demand to recognise RENURE as an ecological substitute for synthetic fertilisers

Echoing this call to action, several Members of the European Parliament, including Wouter Beke (EPP, BE), Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR, NL), Sander Smit (EPP, NL), and Jessika van Leeuwen (EPP, NL), have joined the effort by addressing a separate joint letter to the Commission. Signed by ten MEPs from various member states and political groups, the letter demands urgent legal reform to recognise RENURE not as traditional animal manure but as a legitimate ecological substitute for synthetic fertilisers.

The MEPs argue that targeted derogations to the Nitrates Directive are essential to permit organic manure’s structured and clean use, particularly on grasslands, as a viable alternative to fossil-based fertilisers. Van Leeuwen, a member of the Agriculture and International Trade committees, stressed: “If we want to reduce our dependency on artificial fertilisers from Belarus and Russia, we must encourage the use of natural and sustainable alternatives.” She has also submitted amendments to the Commission’s proposal to ensure a financially viable framework for RENURE adoption.

Belgian MEP Wouter Beke underlined the strategic value: “Greater use of locally sourced animal manure means lower costs and improved autonomy for our agricultural sector. This benefits both the environment and the circular economy.” Likewise, Sander Smit highlighted that well-treated digestate and RENURE align with the EU’s low-carbon agriculture and nutrient recovery objectives.

With this coordinated appeal from key agricultural stakeholders and cross-party MEPs, the message to the European Commission is clear: take decisive action now to unlock the full potential of RENURE and establish a coherent, enabling legal framework for sustainable fertilisation across the EU.