Commission launches phosphorus consultation
The European Commission has launched a consultation on how to use phosphorus in a more sustainable way. It’s hoped the consultation will launch a debate on the use of phosphorus and increase resource-efficiency. European institutions and other stakeholders are being asked to give their views.
The consultation will investigate how to ensure reserves are available for future generations, tackling the issues of demand and supply and also how to minimise the undesirable externalities of phosphorus on the environment.
Phosphorus is widely used in agriculture and is an essential component in fertiliser and animal feed, but it is a resource which has no substitute. Supplies are limited, prices have been volatile and much phosphorus is currently wasted, creating concerns about the cost and availability of future supplies in the EU and worldwide. However, phosphorus run-off from farm fields to watercourses can lead to increased growth of aquatic plants and algae, a phenomenon known as eutrophication.
European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik, commented: “We are currently wasting this precious resource and creating a pollutant. Using phosphorus more efficiently will reduce its impact on the environment and improve security of supply. We can also create new business opportunities in the recycling sector.”
The Commission says further research is needed into techniques and technologies using phosphorus. The EU body hopes the ‘Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability’ European Innovation Partnership as well as research under Horizon 2020 will help stimulate future research developments from the private sector and other research bodies.
The consultation will run until 1 December 2013.
