EU policy on RENURE stifles green farming innovation, warn industry bodies

Copa-Cogeca – the umbrella body representing EU farming unions and agri-cooperatives – has joined forces with the European Biogas Association (EBA) and the farm machinery group CEMA to call for policy reform that would allow farmers to fully utilise ‘RENURE’ technologies.

RENURE, or Recovered Nitrogen from Manure, refers to processed organic fertilisers, including certain digestates, which can be used in a similar way to synthetic nitrogen. Supporters say it offers a local, circular and more environmentally friendly fertiliser solution – but current rules under the EU’s Nitrates Directive are holding back adoption.

In a joint letter sent to the European Commissioners for Environment and Agriculture, Jessika Roswall and Christophe Hansen, the groups said the failure to integrate RENURE into legislation is at odds with the EU’s stated goals for sustainability and competitiveness.

“RENURE technologies are examples of farm-level innovation with multiple environmental and economic benefits – from reducing livestock emissions to producing high-quality fertilisers and substrates – and deserve greater recognition,” said Copa.

The EU’s Vision for Agriculture and Food, published earlier this year, highlighted RENURE as a key innovation in tackling farming’s environmental footprint. But Copa says existing regulation ‘has failed to unlock this potential’, and is now calling for ‘clear and stable’ policy to give farmers confidence to invest.

Central to the concern is a proposed amendment to the Nitrates Directive, which Copa argues is too narrow in scope and restricts innovation. The amendment proposes a cap of 100kg of nitrogen per hectare per year from RENURE sources – a limitation that Copa says is scientifically unjustified, given that RENURE products behave identically to synthetic fertilisers.

“The draft amendment completely stifles innovation aimed at new, improved production methods, in direct opposition to the Commission’s ambitions,” the group said.

The call comes at a time when European farmers are facing increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable fertiliser practices, while also dealing with rising tariffs and future sanctions on imported fertiliser from Russia and Belarus.

“If it is serious about strategic autonomy, Europe cannot afford to overlook RENURE,” Copa said. “The lack of regulatory clarity is a perfect example of the contradictory demands being placed on farmers – and the Commission has the power to resolve this.”