UK opens consultation to modernise fertiliser rules and improve supply resilience
The UK government launched an eight-week consultation to update fertiliser regulation, support innovation, and strengthen farm-sector resilience to market shocks.
On 19 March 2026, the UK government opened a consultation and call for evidence to reform fertiliser regulation. The policy package aims to expand access to innovative fertilising products, improve supply resilience, and reduce pollution risks across air, land, and water systems.
According to the government text, the current framework is widely viewed as outdated. It has remained largely unchanged for more than 20 years and mainly covers inorganic mineral fertilisers, which limits flexibility for newer products and circular-economy inputs.
The reform concept is to introduce a more agile legislative model so that a broader range of products can reach the market while maintaining safety and performance standards. For producers, this is presented as a way to reduce import dependency and improve long-term reliability of fertiliser availability.
The announcement also links regulation to current geopolitical risk. UK authorities said they are monitoring Middle East developments and related farm-sector impacts, including rising fertiliser prices. The government said it raised industry concerns with the CMA and asked AHDB to report on fertiliser and red diesel supply and usage across agricultural sectors.
The CMA confirmed it will work with government to monitor sectors vulnerable to price rises and disruption, including fertilisers, and respond quickly if harmful market practices emerge. This reflects a broader effort to tighten market surveillance without freezing innovation.
The consultation runs for eight weeks and closes on Wednesday, 13 May 2026. Farmers, manufacturers, environmental groups, and other stakeholders are invited to submit responses, which will inform phased implementation of the new regulatory framework.