Addressing the fertiliser crisis and strengthening food security in the EU

Question for written answer E-001670/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

The geopolitical instability of recent years has serious consequences that are not just limited to energy availability and prices, but create multiple problems throughout the supply chain.

Both the 2022 energy crisis and the recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have shown that disruptions in the supply of natural gas to the EU directly affect, among other things, the production and availability of fertilisers (in 2022, 70 % of European factories closed). The result is a surge in the cost of agricultural production but above all a threat to the EU's food security.

Spain has recently taken important initiatives, calling for the formulation of a European plan to prevent future crises and investment in research into alternative forms of fertilisation. At the same time, it is supporting its farmers with financial measures of EUR 500 million to address the impact of the increased cost of fertilisers.

In Greece, the measures presented by the Government are insignificant in scale and are not sufficient to address the problem effectively.

In view of the above:

• 1.How does the Commission assess the establishment of a European fertiliser mechanism, with strategic planning and emergency tools, such as the creation of strategic reserves, for coordinated support to EU farmers in times of crisis?
• 2.What initiatives does it intend to take to strengthen research into alternative fertilisation technologies, in order to reduce our dependence on non-EU countries?

Submitted: 23.4.2026