Industry says cadmium fertilizer limits manageable, cost concerns ease
Fertilizer industry assesses cadmium limit compliance costs as manageable and economically feasible.
Event / Politics
France Cadmium Fertilizer Limits Bill
French National Assembly passes legislation in first reading to reduce maximum cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers from 90 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg by 2027 and 20 mg/kg by 2030, addressing public health concerns over cadmium exposure through food consumption. The bill passed 144-22 with left and centrist party support against National Rally opposition and government recommendation.
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2026-08-16 to 2026-11-13 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 4 Jun, 09:01 UTC
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What happened
French government opposes cadmium reduction bill over agricultural competitiveness concerns
The French government publicly opposed the National Assembly's cadmium reduction bill, arguing that the proposed reduction trajectory is too rapid and poses risks to French agricultural competitiveness and food sovereignty. Delegate Minister for Ecological Transition Mathieu Lefèvre stated the approved timeline is not realistic and risks undermining national food sovereignty and agricultural sectors. The government had proposed a much slower reduction schedule: 60 mg/kg by 2027, 40 mg/kg by 2030, and 20 mg/kg by 2038.
Cadmium exposure in French population exceeds health reference values for nearly half of citizens
As of 2025, nearly half of the French population had cadmium exposure levels exceeding the health reference values established by the Anses (National Food Safety Agency). The primary source of exposure is food, particularly through cereals such as wheat and rice. Cadmium is classified as carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction, and can cause kidney damage and bone fragility. Agricultural fertilizers account for over 80 percent of cadmium inputs to French agricultural soils, with phosphate mineral fertilizers being the primary source at 55 percent.
French National Assembly adopts bill to limit cadmium exposure in phosphate fertilizers
The French National Assembly passed in first reading on June 3, 2026, an environmental bill aimed at limiting population exposure to cadmium, a toxic heavy metal. The bill was adopted by 144 votes against 22 and establishes an ambitious trajectory for reducing maximum allowed cadmium levels in phosphate fertilizers, which accumulate the metal in agricultural soils and contaminate food. The bill proposes reducing cadmium limits to 40 mg/kg by 2027 and 20 mg/kg by 2030, compared to the current French limit of 90 mg/kg and the European limit of 60 mg/kg.
French National Assembly passes cadmium limits against government recommendation with broad left and centrist support
The cadmium reduction bill in the National Assembly received support from all left-wing parties, as well as the MoDem, Horizons, and Renaissance centrist groups. The far-right National Rally and one Liberal Republican deputy voted against the measure. Amendments proposed by MoDem to limit reductions to the 60 mg/kg European standard, and by Horizons and Renaissance to slow the reduction timeline while maintaining the same targets, were rejected or withdrawn. Ecological deputy Benoît Biteau, the bill's author, led support for the measure, which must still pass through the Senate for final adoption.
Cadmium reduction costs in fertilizer production assessed as manageable by industry advocates
During National Assembly debate, ecological deputy Benoît Biteau argued that the cost of cadmium reduction (decadmiation) processes conducted by fertilizer producers would be minimal for agricultural consumers. This assessment contrasts with concerns raised by Renaissance deputy Jean-Luc Fugit about potential supply tensions and procurement concentration. Morocco holds the world's primary phosphate reserves, which are naturally higher in cadmium. The Moroccan firm OCP asserts that its phosphate fertilizers commercialized in the EU already contain cadmium at less than 20 mg/kg.
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2 alternative perspectives
Half of French population exceeds safe cadmium exposure limits
Half of French population exposed to unsafe cadmium levels, validating parliament's fertilizer restrictions.
French Parliament Passes Cadmium Limits Despite Government Opposition
French Parliament passes cadmium limits bill against government recommendation with strong left and centrist backing.