Cadmium limits for phosphate fertilisers

20.2.2017

Question for written answer P-001120-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Franck Proust (PPE)

The Commission has published two impact assessments to accompany its proposal for a regulation laying down rules on the availability on the market of CE marked fertilising products and amending Regulations (EC) No 1069/2009 and (EC) No 1107/2009.

The impact assessment relating specifically to cadmium limits for phosphate fertilisers (SWD (2016)0064, Part 2.2), refers to the national limits currently in force for such fertilisers and states that those limits are set out in Annex I.

It would seem, however, that the information in that annex is incorrect. For example, the limit for mineral fertilisers in France is 90 mg/kg P₂O₅ (French standard NFU 42-001-1).

1. Could the Commission confirm that the value for France is incorrect?

2. If the values for France set out in Annex I are incorrect, could the Commission confirm that the other values are correct?

3. Given that thresholds are a key issue in the review of the rules on fertilisers, if the thresholds should have been higher in the countries listed in Annex I, does the Commission not think that the maximum limit values should be reassessed in its proposal?