On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008, (EC) No 1223/2009 and (EU) 2019/1009 as regards simplification of certain requirements and procedures for chemical products

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

The Rapporteur welcomes the Commission’s proposal, which represents a balanced and timely step towards simplifying selected procedures and requirements for chemical products, including fertilising products. In her view, the approach appropriately maintains high safety standards while aiming to reduce unnecessary administrative burden, improve regulatory predictability and facilitate innovation.

From an agricultural perspective, simplification is not an end in itself. It should result in faster and more proportionate pathways for safe, effective and affordable fertilising and biostimulant products to reach the market. This is particularly important for small and medium-sized producers, who face disproportionate compliance costs under the current system. Improving access to innovative microbial and organic fertilisers can help farmers enhance nutrient-use efficiency, soil health and resilience, while reducing dependency on imported conventional fertilisers.

The Rapporteur’s amendments therefore focus on technical improvements that remain fully within the scope of the Commission’s proposal and respect its overall architecture. They aim to strengthen legal clarity, ensure science-based decision-making and support innovations with proven safety profiles. In particular, the creation of a Union list of low-risk microorganisms, based on existing scientific assessments and practical experience, would provide a predictable and regularly updated framework for the safe use of microbial products under CMC 7.

Overall, the Rapporteur considers that these targeted adjustments will contribute to a more efficient, proportionate and innovation-friendly regulatory environment, ultimately benefiting farmers, SMEs and the competitiveness of EU agriculture.

AMENDMENTS

The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development submits the following to the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety and the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protections, as the committees responsible:

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 30 a (new)

Or. en

Justification

Simplification should not be an end in itself but deliver quicker access to safe, effective and affordable inputs, notably microbial biostimulants, which improve nutrient-use efficiency and resilience. Faster, predictable pathways lower costs for SMEs, broaden choice for farmers and help replace imported synthetic fertilisers, strengthening competitiveness and supply security. It preserves high safety standards while prioritising proportionate, science-based procedures so innovation reaches fields without unnecessary delay.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 30 b (new)

Or. en

Justification

Wider use of microbial and organic fertilisers enhances nutrient efficiency and soil health, helping farmers maintain productivity while reducing input losses and environmental pressure. Such innovation supports sustainable intensification, producing more with fewer resources, and strengthens the resilience and competitiveness of EU agriculture without resorting to de-intensification.

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)

Regulation (EU) 2019/1009

Article 41 a (new)

Or. en

Justification

Creates a predictable, proportionate pathway and faster access to safe products. Building on existing assessments (e.g., EFSA/QPS) and practical field experience avoids duplication, lowers costs for SMEs and authorities, and accelerates CMC 7 updates, improving availability for farmers while maintaining science-based oversight through regular reviews and updates.