{"id":120278,"date":"2026-05-28T09:55:46","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T07:55:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=120278"},"modified":"2026-05-28T10:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T08:19:14","slug":"commissions-nitrates-directive-weakening-draws-eu-watchdog-scrutiny-in-broader-maladministration-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/it\/commissions-nitrates-directive-weakening-draws-eu-watchdog-scrutiny-in-broader-maladministration-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Commission’s Nitrates Directive weakening draws EU watchdog scrutiny in broader maladministration case"},"content":{"rendered":"

28 May 2026, Brussels\u00a0<\/span><\/b>\u2013\u00a0The\u00a0European Commission\u2019s move to fast-track controversial legislative amendments has sparked a wave of complaints to the European Ombudswoman, the EU\u2019s top watchdog on maladministration. Among them was a complaint filed by the European Environmental Bureau in April 2026 over the ‘RENURE’ act \u2013\u00a0a\u00a0change\u00a0that dramatically increases\u00a0the amount of manure\u00a0permitted\u00a0on agricultural land.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to the complaint,\u00a0Ombudswoman Teresa Anjinho\u00a0acknowledged\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span>EEB’s concerns<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0the Commission had\u00a0departed\u00a0from its own Better Regulation standards in authorising the use of manure-based fertilisers (RENURE products) above the limits set under the Nitrates Directive [1]. She noted similarities with procedural failings\u00a0identified\u00a0in\u00a0three\u00a0earlier complaints.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In these cases, the Ombudswoman found the Commission had\u00a0<\/span>committed maladministration<\/span><\/a>, prompting written recommendations from the Ombudswoman in November last year.\u00a0The Ombudswoman\u00a0indicated\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0EEB’s\u00a0claims\u00a0appeared\u00a0consistent\u00a0with a broader pattern of\u00a0dubious policymaking\u00a0already\u00a0identified as\u00a0“maladministration”,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0newly presented\u00a0concerns\u00a0will\u00a0therefore\u00a0be\u00a0considered\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0next steps of the\u00a0ongoing inquiry.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sara Johansson, Policy Manager\u00a0for Water,\u00a0European Environmental\u00a0Bureau, said:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span><\/span>R<\/span>ushing through\u00a0<\/span>weakening<\/span>\u00a0of environmental\u00a0<\/span>and health\u00a0<\/span>protections\u00a0<\/span>without<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span> proper\u00a0<\/span>evidence<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or assessment of impacts<\/span>\u00a0is policymaking\u00a0<\/span>behind closed doors<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span> Nitrate pollution<\/span>\u00a0already\u00a0<\/span>costs taxpayers\u00a0<\/span>60\u00a0<\/span>million<\/span>\u00a0euros\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>day<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to deal with\u00a0<\/span><\/span> water pollution\u00a0<\/span>alone. Decisions with such high stakes\u00a0<\/span>de<\/span>mand\u00a0<\/span>transparency<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Commission\u00a0failed\u00a0to\u00a0carry out proper due diligence \u2013 the basic safeguard meant to ensure transparent and responsible decision-making.\u00a0Crucially, the change was pushed through before the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive had even concluded.\u00a0The Commission also\u00a0failed to\u00a0ensure\u00a0coherence with other legislations, base the\u00a0amendment on the best available\u00a0evidence\u00a0or\u00a0to\u00a0properly consult the public.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The EEB therefore welcomes the Ombudswoman’s decision\u00a0to\u00a0forward\u00a0the EEB’s concerns to the Commission and take\u00a0them\u00a0into consideration when preparing the final decision on the Commission’s response to her recommendations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the\u00a0watchdog\u00a0waits for a response,\u00a0the Commission ploughs\u00a0on<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Ombudswoman’s response<\/span>\u00a0is welcome<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>civil society organisations are\u00a0<\/span>concerned about the impacts of the Commission’s\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>nnounce<\/span>ment<\/span>, in\u00a0<\/span>its\u00a0<\/span>Fertiliser Action Plan<\/span>\u00a0(see our press release<\/a>)<\/span>, to further expand the RENURE act,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0allow<\/span>\u00a0also<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>the application of digested manure above\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>manure limit in Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones<\/span>\u00a0[<\/span>2<\/span>]<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>T<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>risks<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>lead<\/span>i<\/span>ng<\/span>\u00a0to further\u00a0<\/span>water pollution and delay work to close implementation gaps.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

ENDS<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[1]\u00a0The Nitrates Directive is a key tool to reduce and prevent water pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources, but it\u00a0remains\u00a0poorly implemented, costing EU taxpayers\u00a0<\/span>22 billion euros\/year<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in water pollution alone.\u00a0In some cases, pollution has resulted in restricted access to drinking water: In 2024, more than\u00a0<\/span>220,000 people<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in Spain lacked access to drinkable tap water due to unsafe levels of nitrates, caused by excess fertilisers and manure from industrial animal farming.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[2]\u00a0Nitrogen Vulnerable Zones:\u00a0areas\u00a0designated\u00a0as being at risk from agricultural nitrate pollution.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Notes to editor:<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n