Commission adopts new EU legislation on RENURE fertilisers

The European Commission has formally adopted new rules on REcovered Nitrogen from manure (RENURE), which will contribute to reducing farmers' dependency on imported fertilizers.

The new rules will allow the use of RENURE fertilisers above the limit for the application of manure and processed manure set by the Nitrates Directive. This means that the member states and farmers will have the possibility to replace chemical fertilisers by RENURE fertilizers. This will be done in a safe way to ensure the continued protection of waters and the environment. It will also reduce costs for farmers and increase the strategic autonomy of the EU agricultural sector by lowering dependency on imported fertilisers.

Following the meeting and vote by Member States' representatives in the Nitrates Committee on 19 September 2025, the Commission's RENURE proposal was shared with the European Parliament and the Council for a scrutiny period. Neither of the two institutions made any objection to the amendment.

The amendment to the Nitrates Directive will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal. It will apply only in Member states choosing to authorise RENURE. They will need to transpose the amendment into national law.

Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy Commissioner Jessika Roswall said: "With the adoption of these new rules on RENURE, Europe is turning waste into value – reducing fertiliser imports, supporting farmers' competitiveness and strengthening our strategic autonomy, while safeguarding water and the environment.”

You can find more information on the adopted amendment to the Nitrates Directive online. 

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