This study analyzes the environmental efficiency of the agricultural sector regarding the use of mineral fertilizers in the period 2001e2012 for a group of European countries. Specifically, efficiency is assessed through a dynamic Data Envelopment Analysis methodology. This method aims to analyze temporal
efficiency changes through the estimation of Malmquist indexes with increasing and decreasing temporal
windows. Findings show that most countries register efficiency advances in the periods 2002
e2003 and 2007e2008. Specific countries, such as Belgium-Luxembourg, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden
and United Kingdom, register persistently higher values of the estimated Malmquist indexes. This
study contributes to the existing literature by assessing country-specific efficiency paths, as well as by
identifying best-performing countries from which lessons can be learnt. A brief review of main measures
taken by a selected group of benchmark countries is offered.