A protest is currently underway at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, as farm organisations from across the EU highlight the crisis of tight supplies and high prices for fertiliser.

The protest coincides with the launch of the European Commission's Fertiliser Action Plan later today (Tuesday, May 19).

The protest action is being coordinated by Copa Cogeca, the EU-wide representative body for farmer organisations and agricultural co-operatives.

Member state organisations, including France's FNSEA, are also taking part.

Copa Cogeca had earlier said that today's action plan from the commission is "unlikely to meet the expectations of the European farming community or address the scale of the crisis that has been unfolding since the outbreak of the conflict in Iran".

In social media posts today, Copa Cogeca said that "today's fertiliser crisis for farmers [is] tomorrow's food crisis for consumers".

"This morning, hundreds of European farmers are now gathering in front of the [European Parliament] to sound the alarm: the EU is heading straight for the fertiliser wall," Copa said.

"While the commission is expected to present its long awaited Fertiliser Action Plan this afternoon, time is running out for immediate concrete action," the farm organisation said.

Among the demands made by the organisation are the suspension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the controversial import tax on carbon-intensive products, including fertiliser.

Copa Cogeca and its member organisations are also calling for zero import duty on fertilisers and suspension of the Nitrates Directive.

Copa said that the content of the fertiliser plan today will "answer a key question".

Meanwhile, French farming organisation FNSEA said in its own social media posts (translated from French): "The FNSEA is mobilizing this morning in front of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Faced with soaring costs and the lack of concrete responses from the European Commission, European farmers are sounding the alarm," the farm group said.

France's young farmer organisation Jeunes Agriculteurs are also taking part in the protest.

That organisation has called for "at the very least" the suspension of CBAM on fertiliser, and has said it will meet with MEPs to "make the cause of the agricultural world heard".

Fertiliser Action Plan

The Fertiliser Action Plan comes as overall EU nitrogen fertiliser prices in April 2026 were around 70% above the 2024 average and up around 40% compared to February 2026.

The Middle East, and in particular the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, which has been closed as a result of the conflict there between the US and Iran, accounts for up to 20-30% of global exports for ammonia and urea.

A draft version of the plan seen by Agriland proposes several "immediate measures" to reduce pressure on fertiliser costs and secure supplies for farmers.

In a bid to provide liquidity for farmers, the commission is expected to propose "targeted exceptional support" using existing crisis instruments under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

It is understood that the commission will propose to use the EU budget to increase the agricultural reserve to "provide fast relief for farmers".

The commission is today expected to put forward a targeted CAP package allowing member states to make maximum use of supports in current CAP strategic plans.

However, according to the draft plan seen by Agriland, the commission does not appear to be willing to suspend the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for fertilisers, though it does outline some flexibilities.