Government Consultation on Modernising Fertilisers Legislation

The UK Government has launched a joint consultation and call for evidence on modernising fertilisers legislation, led by Defra and supported by the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. The consultation is now open and will run until 13th May 2026.

What is the UK fertiliser consultation proposing?

The proposals aim to repeal existing fertiliser product legislation (which covers the rules surrounding the supply of fertiliser) and replace it with a new framework, the UK Fertilising Product Regulations (UK FPR).

Under the consultation, government is seeking views including those on:

• expanding the scope of regulated products beyond traditional inorganic fertilisers e.g. polymer coatings used to control nutrient release in controlled-release fertilisers, seaweed extracts, humic and fulvic acids or plant growth promoting bacteria which are used in plant biostimulants, pelletised organic materials and biochar

• the treatment of newer and novel fertilising products, including biobased and low‑carbon inputs

• the likely impact of proposed labelling requirements products must meet before being placed on the market

Current fertiliser regulations framework has remained largely unchanged for over 20 years and is regarded as insufficiently agile to reflect modern farming systems or novel fertilising products. It is limited in scope as it largely only covers inorganic mineral fertilisers. Use and application of fertiliser is outside the scope of current fertilisers legislation and is managed by other legislation which will continue to exist.

Government proposes that inorganic fertilisers, liming materials, nitrification inhibitors and urease inhibitors made from virgin material substances and mixtures are prioritised for conformity assessment, while progressing further research and policy development into newer and novel fertilisers.

Rationale for reform

The rationale includes that:

• There are no contaminant limits for the products or materials listed in the regulations and no requirement for manufacturers to demonstrate the efficacy of inhibitors

• There are no compositional, efficacy or labelling requirements specifically for newer types of fertilisers such as biostimulants

• Newer and novel fertilisers are increasingly being marketed as ‘low-carbon’ or ‘low-emission’ fertilisers, but there is no agreed definition of either

Wider context: supply resilience, costs and pollution

This consultation sits alongside wider government concerns about fertiliser price volatility, supply resilience and pollution risks. In announcing the proposals, Defra highlighted the need to reduce reliance on imported fertilisers, support domestic innovation and cut nutrient losses to air, land and water.

Recent analysis from the AHDB shows that GB fertiliser prices remain above pre-2020 levels, despite being well below the extreme peaks seen in 2022. Nitrogen fertiliser prices increased by around 14% in 2025 compared with 2024, driven by energy costs and global market uncertainty, with further geopolitical disruption currently ongoing.

Looking ahead - CBAM and fertiliser imports from 2027

From 1 January 2027, fertilisers will fall within scope of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM will apply a carbon price to certain imported goods, including fertilisers, to reflect the emissions embedded in their production and ensure parity with UK producers subject to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

While CBAM does not regulate fertiliser use on farm, it is expected to influence the cost and sourcing of imported fertiliser products, reinforcing the importance of efficient nutrient use and resilient domestic systems over the medium term.

What this means for farm nutrient strategy

Taken together, regulatory reform, price volatility and forthcoming CBAM requirements reinforce the long-standing need to continue improving nutrient use efficiency on farm. Well-designed rotations, including the use of legumes and cover crops, have a role to play in supporting soil nitrogen supply and reducing reliance on bought-in inputs.

Our research work increasingly focuses on how legume‑based leys and cover crops contribute to nutrient cycling, including the timing and availability of nitrogen to following cash crops. Upcoming trials will generate practical evidence to help plan fertiliser strategies with greater confidence.