Sustainable phosphorus management in European agricultural and environmental law

Abstract

Sustainable phosphorus management is indispensable for global food security and the conservation of soil and water bodies. Phosphorus governance is rooted in various areas of law, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union as well as European and national soil conservation law, water conservation law, fertilizer law, circular economy law and organic farming law. This article provides an analysis of the extent to which previously identified aspects of sustainable phosphorus management are reflected in the status quo of European agricultural and environmental law. It shows the potential for improvement regarding the integration of phosphorus-related issues in existing regulation and points out that establishing economic instruments might help to overcome governance deficits of regulatory law.