A vote by a committee of MEPs in the European Parliament backing customs duties on fertiliser imports from Russian and its ally Belarus has left "farmers worried", according to Copa Cogeca.

Copa Cogeca, which represents EU farm organisations and agricultural co-operatives, was reacting to a vote from the parliament's international trade committee to push ahead with "trade defence measures" on fertiliser from the two countries without "considering their consequences" on the farming sector.

Russia and Belarus are a major source of fertilisers for the EU agricultural sector.

Copa said the introduction of these customs duties, initially proposed by the European Commission, is "potentially devastating", and that the parliament's trade committee did not consider "alternative plans".

"While recognising the clear political rationale behind the European Commission’s proposal, Copa and Cogeca strongly criticises the lack of amendments to the original text and the absence of any call for a proper impact assessment," the group said.

"Mitigating solutions and proposals for alternative sourcing were possible, as highlighted by the agriculture committee of the European Parliament. The decision to ignore them is particularly alarming, given the severe economic implications for European farmers and agricultural co-operatives," a statement from Copa added.

The proposal will increase tariffs on fertiliser from Russia and Belarus.

Although Copa acknowledged that this aligns with broader geopolitical sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine - which was supported by Belarus - the farm group said the move may significantly drive up production costs for farmers "at a time when fertiliser already represents one of the most substantial expenses for farmers".

"Without access to affordable fertilisers, farmers face shrinking competitiveness, declining incomes, and potential disruption affecting EU food security," the farm organisation warned.

Copa is calling on members of the European Parliament to reconsider the proposal during an upcoming plenary (full) sitting of MEPs this week.

"The agriculture sector must not be expected to bear the brunt of foreign policy decisions without adequate mitigation measures and a thorough impact analysis," Copa said.

The group added: "We reaffirm our support to the EU's commitment to addressing geopolitical challenges. However, European farmers must not become collateral damage."