SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture Publish Joint Policy Brief on the Future of Sustainable Growing Media in Europe
New Joint Policy Brief from SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture: Towards a Fit-for-Purpose EU Framework for Growing Media
SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture are pleased to present a new Policy Brief developed following the Brussels Policy Scoping Workshop held on 3 March 2026. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry representatives, and stakeholders from across Europe, the workshop explored how scientific evidence and innovation can support the transition towards more sustainable and resilient growing media systems. Growing media are a strategic component of European horticulture, enabling efficient plant production while reducing pressure on land, water, fertilisers, and other resources. As global demand for growing media continues to rise, the sector faces important challenges related to sustainability, raw material availability, circular economy integration, and regulatory frameworks. The Policy Brief highlights key issues identified during the workshop, including the need to adapt the EU Fertilising Products Regulation to better reflect the specific characteristics of growing media, strengthen supply chain resilience, support the use of high-quality compost and digestate derived from biowaste, and promote evidence-based approaches to the development and adoption of peat alternatives. It also outlines six policy recommendations aimed at enabling innovation, supporting growers, and accelerating the transition towards sustainable horticultural production systems.
As Horizon Europe projects funded under the Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, SPIN-FERT and Hort2theFuture contribute scientific evidence helping to build a stronger evidence base for future European policies supporting soil health, resource efficiency, and sustainable horticulture.
We invite policymakers, researchers, growers, industry stakeholders, and all interested parties to explore the Policy Brief and join the ongoing dialogue on the future of growing media in Europe
