Risks and benefits of inhibitors in agriculture | Umweltbundesamt

Calculations by the UBA show that the extensive use of inhibitors could reduce agricultural ammonia emissions by up to 9% and nitrous oxide emissions by up to 5%. This effect can only be achieved if the substances are applied on a large scale in the open environment. However, several of the active substances pose a risk to both the environment and to human health. For example, some of the substances are potentially toxic to aquatic organisms or impair the reproductive function of mammals.

The approval process either at national or European level often overlooks those risks.. This is shown, for example, by the fact that five of the eleven inhibitors available on the German market would very probably not be approved under the requirements of the EU Plant Protection Products Regulation. In addition, there are still uncertainties regarding the effectiveness and duration of the inhibitors, particularly with repeated use.

UBA  does therefore not recommend the widespread use of the inhibitors currently available on the market. Instead, we recommend a uniform European regulation that ensures the use of active substances is safe. 

Any such regulation should be implemented at the EU level either with an approval and authorization procedure similar to that of the EU Plant Protection Regulation or by integrating the process into this regulation. Sound regulation would ensure that inhibitors can contribute to achieving environmental and climate targets.

Time for action is now. From 2030, the agricultural sector will have to deliver a significant contribution to the ambitious European and national climate targets. The sector accounted for around 13% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Cost-effective and simple mitigation techniques, such as the use of GHG reducing inhibitors, could help the sector achieve its climate goals.