Keywords: Fertilizers in the environment, Sustainability.

Current trends in fertilizer consumption in Western Europe are described. The pressures for, and the likely major thrust of changes in environmental regulations are considered. The fertilizer industry's options for responding to pressure from both the public and the regulators are evaluated. The outcome in part depends on whether industry or the consumer will incur the cost entailed in achieving the highest levels of environmental efficiency in fertilizer use on the farm.

A J Williams, European Fertilizer Manufacturers' Association, Av. Van Niewenhuyse 4, Brussels, Belgium.

24 pages, 3 tables, 31 references.