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Parliamentary question - E-000489/2017Parliamentary question
E-000489/2017

Limiting the cadmium content of fertilisers

Question for written answer E-000489-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Clara Eugenia Aguilera García (S&D)

The proposal for a regulation on the marketing of fertiliser products and amending Regulations (EC) Nos 1069/2009 and 1107/2009 (2016/0084(COD)) establishes limits for the cadmium content of various product function categories (PFCs).

Why are the limits for the cadmium content of all PFCs not expressed in the same units of measurement, and why has P2O5 content not been taken into account? Why, for PFCs with less than 5% P2O5, are the limits expressed in mg Cd/kg of dry matter, when PFCs with more than 5% mg Cd/ kg are expressed in mg Cd/kg P2O5? It would be logical for the same units to be used in both cases, i.e.: mg Cd/kg P2O5 for products containing phosphorus and mg Cd/kg of dry matter for those that do not contain phosphorus.

Is there a scientific or technical reason for products with fewer nutrients to contain up to 135 mg Cd/kg P2O5 (for an organo-mineral fertiliser with 90% dry matter and 2% P2O5)? In practice, if a fertiliser has a lower nutrient content, it is applied in greater quantities so as to meet the needs of the crops concerned, and, as a result, larger amounts of pollutants end up being added to the soil.