Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen has urged the European Commission to reconsider its approach to proposed tariffs on fertiliser imports.

The Midlands North-West representative made the appeal in light of a new report warning of a sharp upward trend in fertiliser prices for 2025.

The Rabobank report, published this week, forecasts another challenging year for the global fertiliser market – particularly nitrogen and phosphate-based products.

The report also flags the EU’s proposed import tariffs as a major contributing factor to potential price shocks.

The commission’s proposal, which will be subject to a vote in the European Parliament in May, seeks to impose tariffs on fertiliser imported from Russia and Belarus.

The move, intended to restrict Russia’s war financing and promote EU strategic autonomy, has already been approved by the European Council.

However, Cowen, who is a member of the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI), has repeatedly warned that this blanket approach could have a disproportionate and damaging effect on Irish farmers.

He highlighted the absence of domestic fertiliser production in Ireland and the subsequent complete reliance on imported fertilisers.

Cowen said that Irish fertiliser prices have "risen steadily" since late 2024, adding that this trend will "only worsen if the commission fails to adapt its policy in time".

Following consultation with farm organisations, the MEP has submitted and co-signed a number of targeted amendments to the proposal, including:

A one-year delay in tariff implementation to give the fertiliser market time to adjust;
A mandatory impact assessment before any measures take effect;
A suspension mechanism requiring the Commission to pause tariffs within 14 days if prices rise more than 15% over July 2024 levels;
Compensatory measures for farmers hit by input price hikes;
Monthly monitoring and public reporting of fertiliser prices across all member states;
Active diversification of EU fertiliser supply, particularly through stronger trade ties with the US, and support for alternatives such as RENURE and digestate.

MEP Cowen insists that while Ireland stands in solidarity with Ukraine and supports moves to hinder Russian war financing, Irish farmers must not be collateral damage in the process.

“This new report reinforces everything I’ve been saying for months – global fertiliser prices are already on the rise, and the EU's proposed tariffs could turn a bad situation into a crisis for Irish farmers.

"The commission needs to listen and adjust before it’s too late for Irish farmers," he said.