On 9 February 2026, the European Commission formally adopted a set of new measures aimed at reducing the agricultural sector’s dependence on imported fertilisers by enabling the use of recovered nitrogen fertilisers known as RENURE (REcovered Nitrogen from manURE). The measures were introduced as an amendment to the existing Nitrates Directive, reflecting the EU’s strategic objective to strengthen autonomy while preserving environmental integrity.
RENURE products are fertilising materials derived from processed livestock manure in which nutrients are recovered and transformed into forms capable of substituting conventional mineral fertilisers. These products can be rapidly absorbed by crops and, when used responsibly, present a lower risk of water pollution compared with the application of raw manure.
The adopted amendment to the Nitrates Directive allows Member States that choose to authorise RENURE fertilisers to permit their use at levels above the existing legal limits for manure and processed manure application. This regulatory flexibility is intended to enable farmers to replace a portion of their conventional chemical fertiliser inputs with RENURE alternatives, thereby reducing reliance on imported fertilisers and supporting domestic agricultural competitiveness.
To ensure environmental sustainability, the amended rules include appropriate safeguards for the protection of water resources against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. Member States electing to implement the amendment are required to transpose the changes into their national legislation.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, commented on the adoption of the new rules, noting that Europe is “turning waste into value – reducing fertiliser imports, supporting farmers’ competitiveness and strengthening our strategic autonomy, while safeguarding water and the environment.”
The new rules take effect following their formal adoption and represent a step forward in the EU’s efforts to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural sector through innovation and regulatory reform.
