{"id":119637,"date":"2026-02-10T15:06:46","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=119637"},"modified":"2026-02-10T15:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T14:06:46","slug":"renure-science-ignored-as-eu-weakens-nitrate-rules-favouring-big-agribusiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/renure-science-ignored-as-eu-weakens-nitrate-rules-favouring-big-agribusiness\/","title":{"rendered":"RENURE: Science ignored as EU weakens nitrate rules favouring Big Agribusiness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Brussels, 9 February<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> \u2013 The adoption of new EU rules on RENURE fertilisers raises serious concerns about transparency, evidence-based policymaking and democratic accountability, warns the European Environmental Bureau (EEB).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By amending the Nitrates Directive to allow higher applications of nitrogen from processed manure, the European Commission has pushed through a far-reaching policy change\u00a0without proper scrutiny, without meaningful consultation, and while disregarding key scientific evidence \u2013\u00a0and ignoring its own Better Regulation Guidelines.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A decision taken without due process<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The RENURE amendment was prepared and adopted:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">without a full impact assessment,\u00a0despite clear implications for water\u00a0and air\u00a0quality,\u00a0climate\u00a0and farming systems;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">without\u00a0proper\u00a0public consultation\u00a0during its preparation, limiting the ability of civil society, scientists and affected communities to contribute;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ahead of the ongoing fitness check of the Nitrates Directive, pre-empting its conclusions;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">without a climate consistency assessment, as required\u00a0under EU Climate Law.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Commission has relied on a narrow interpretation of its powers under the Nitrates Directive to justify weakening a core safeguard, treating the long-standing\u00a0170 kg nitrogen limit\u00a0(per hectare per year)\u00a0as a technical parameter rather than a foundational element of EU water protection\u00a0law.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sara Johansson, Senior Policy Officer for Water Pollution Prevention, EEB, said:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">&#8220;This is a textbook example of how not to make environmental policy. A major change to one of Europe\u2019s cornerstone water protection laws has been adopted through the back door, without proper evidence or assessment, transparency or public debate.&#8221;<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Selective use of science<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Commission has based its proposal\u00a0largely on\u00a0a single\u00a0Joint Research Centre (JRC)\u00a0report from 2020, while ignoring more recent and more comprehensive evidence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In particular, the Commission has failed to meaningfully consider findings from its own\u00a02023 JRC report,\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Knowledge for the Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP)<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0which concludes that:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"9\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Recycled nutrient products can substitute only around 10% of mineral nitrogen fertilisers at EU level;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"9\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Reducing the intensity of agriculture is by far the most effective lever\u00a0to cut nitrogen pollution to air and water.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These conclusions directly contradict the narrative used to justify the RENURE amendment, yet they were sidelined in the decision-making process.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Voices ignored, risks externalised<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Civil society organisations and environmental experts repeatedly raised concerns\u00a0about the flawed procedure\u00a0during the limited feedback phase, warning that the proposal would weaken water protection and legitimise excessive manure production in already overloaded regions. These concerns were\u00a0largely dismissed.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The result is a policy that risks\u00a0worsening pollution of soils, rivers, lakes and coastal waters,\u00a0threatening drinking water\u00a0quality\u00a0and public health, while locking farmers into an unsustainable, high-input farming model instead of supporting a just transition\u00a0towards a healthy and sustainable food and farming future.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A dangerous precedent<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At a time when many Member States still\u00a0fail to\u00a0comply with\u00a0existing nitrate rules, today\u2019s decision sets a worrying precedent:\u00a0weakening environmental safeguards through\u00a0back-door\u00a0procedures and selective evidence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We call\u00a0on\u00a0EU Member States\u00a0to reject these harmful new rules, and on the Commission\u00a0to\u00a0ensure that any future initiative affecting the Nitrates Directive is developed in line with Better Regulation principles, EU climate\u00a0law\u00a0and the full body of available scientific evidence.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>ENDS.<\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Notes to editor:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">EEB<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/library\/eeb-letter-to-commissioner-roswall-on-the-initiative-to-amend-the-nitrates-directive\/\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">letter<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to Commissioner Roswall on the initiative to amend the Nitrates Directive\u00a0\u2013 29 October 2025<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"11\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">JRC\u00a0<\/span><\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu\/repository\/handle\/JRC129059\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Report<\/span><\/b><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Knowledge for Integrated Nutrient Management Action Plan (INMAP)\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2013\u00a0June 2023<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Contact:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Ben Snelson, Communications Officer, EEB,\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:benedict.snelson@eeb.org\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">benedict.snelson@eeb.org<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:120}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brussels, 9 February \u2013 The adoption of new EU rules on RENURE fertilisers raises serious concerns about transparency, evidence-based policymaking and democratic accountability, warns the European<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":119638,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[1026,1025,325,86],"class_list":["post-119637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-release","tag-nitrates","tag-nutrients","tag-pollution","tag-water"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NENUPHAR-Zoom-background-Presentation-10.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/80"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119637"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119637\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}