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AgVetLink: Number 52, October 2005

Review of regulatory control of fertilisers

In 2004 the ACVM Group initiated public discussion on a standard for the fertiliser group of products. (The fertiliser group includes fertilisers, fertiliser additives and soil conditioners such as compost and mulches, but it does not include soil components such as clay, sand, shingle etc.) Only a few submissions were received and the standard was adjusted where necessary. However, the standard was not issued after the consultation because the New Zealand Standards Group of NZFSA intends to carry out a more comprehensive ‘back to basics’ review and consultation to establish if there is any need to adjust expectations regarding the risks that fertilisers may pose and the level of regulatory control needed to manage those potential risks.

Because of more pressing priorities, the review will be delayed. Consequently, the ACVM Group has issued its standard to clarify the current regulatory expectations and show how they relate to the existing exemption for fertilisers and fertiliser additives in the ACVM Regulations 2001. The standard can be found on the ACVM website under publications.