A Year of Urea Stewardship
It's just over a year since the agricultural industry cooperated in introducing the Urea Stewardship Scheme (Option 4) to avoid legislation banning the use of urea fertilisers. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), along with the National Farmers Union (NFU), Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC), National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB), and Red Tractor, launched the Urea Stewardship Scheme on 1 April 2024: Urea - Crops & Sugar Beet (CR) - Red Tractor Assurance
Since then, farm applications in England containing fertilisers with more than 1% urea content between April 1 and January 15 each year must have protection to reduce ammonia emissions.
The agricultural supply industry remains committed to reducing ammonia emissions from both solid and liquid urea fertilisers. It's important for the entire farming industry to continue to support this effort.
Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme (FACTS)-qualified advisors are continuing to provide advice and support to ensure efficient nutrient use and application controls, and a range of effective inhibited products remain available from distributors and producers.
For more information, farmers can refer to the 45-minute online BASIS course developed through this collaboration: click here.
Author
Jo Gilbertson
Jo Gilbertson is AIC’s Head of Fertiliser and is based at our Head Office in Peterborough.
Jo is responsible for the management and co-ordination of all matters relating to the production and distribution of fertilisers on behalf of Members.
Graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Health, he has additional post graduate qualifications in air pollution control, health and safety, advanced negotiation skills, and quality assurance management.