Urgent action needed to counter the EU’s growing dependence on Russian fertilisers, including through the introduction of sanctions and tariffs
3.12.2024
Priority question for written answer P-002726/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Mariusz Kamiński (ECR)
During the last plenary session, the European Parliament adopted my amendment[1] drawing attention to the EU’s alarming dependence on Russian fertilisers in a resolution on EU support for Ukraine against Russian aggression[2]. It was supported by 435 MEPs from all political groups[3], which sends a clear political signal.
Parliament pointed out that Russia is using sanctioned gas to produce cheap fertilisers, huge quantities of which end up in Europe. The same billions of euros that previously fed Russia’s budget through pipelines such as Nord Stream are now fuelling Russia’s war budget through exports of fertilisers made from the same gas.
The alarming increase in Russian fertiliser imports threatens EU food security, just as dependence on Russian gas previously undermined the EU’s energy security. This phenomenon also has serious economic consequences. An example is Zakłady Azotowe Puławy, which has cut itself off from Russian gas, but whose future is threatened by an uncontrolled influx of cheap Russian fertiliser.
In this connection:
- 1.When and how does the Commission intend to heed Parliament’s call for urgent and decisive action to halt the alarming rise in the EU’s dependence on Russian fertiliser, including through the introduction of sanctions and tariffs?
- 2.Does the Commission plan to conduct an analysis of the links between companies and oligarchs linked to the fertiliser sector and entities and individuals already subject to EU sanctions, such as Vyacheslav Moshe Kantor, owner of one of the largest fertiliser companies in Russia?
Submitted: 3.12.2024
- [1] Amendment 12: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-10-2024-0191-AM-011-012_EN.pdf.
- [2] Resolution 2024/2940(RSP) of 28 November 2024: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2024-0055_EN.html.
- [3] roll-call vote 5.14 RC-B10-0191/2024 – § 14 – Am 12: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/PV-10-2024-11-28-RCV_EN.pdf.