Use of recycled phosphorus products in organic farming in EU member states: Theoretically supported but practically restricted

Organic farming policies and guidelines actively promote sustainable farming practices emphasising tighter nutrient cycles on farms and regionally. The European Union Green Deal aims to increase organic farmland to 25% and has triggered more discussion about nutrient supply challenges in organic farming, including propositions to allow the use of more recycled phosphorus products. Via a pivotal regulatory shift, struvite was allowed for use in organic farming in 2023 but dynamics involved in adoption of this recycled P product into organic farming are not understood. This study explores the influence of policy, technology, and financial instruments on the availability, accessibility, and adoption of wastewater-based struvite in organic farming.We use a qualitative multi-methods approach and adopt a systems perspective to explore the complex interplay between key sectors and the important variables in the recycled P chain. Our analysis reveals a lack of perceived P supply risk for organic farming in the European Union. Whereas the organic farming regulation is an arbiter for inputs into organic farming, adoption of recycled P products by farmers hinges on rigorous quality assurance and financial accessibility. Moreover, there are opposing views among actors on forms of policy interventions to facilitate availability and adoption of recycled P products in organic farming. However, within existing policy frameworks leverage points are present for strategic pathways to promote recycled P use in organic farming.