AIC at 20: Launching FIAS assurance scheme for UK fertiliser safety
As AIC marks 20 years as the UK agri-supply industry’s leading trade association, we're looking back at some of its greatest achievements since it was founded in 2003.
Each week throughout 2023, we’ll explore a major achievement where AIC represented its Member businesses, promoted the benefits of modern commercial agriculture in the UK, and supported collaboration throughout the food chain.
This week we’re revisiting the launch of the fertiliser industry's assurance scheme - Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS).
Safety assured
Fertiliser plays an important role in food production because it feeds the plants which eventually feed livestock and consumers. When handled correctly fertilisers are safe for people and the environment, but misuse or illegal activity is a threat to public safety.
In January 2006, AIC launched a new scheme to help make sure that fertiliser products in the UK are kept safe and any potential terror threats are minimised. The scheme was created in partnership with the industry, government regulators, and UK security services.
FIAS provides an assurance system which ensure that the security, safety, and traceability of fertilisers meet the requirements of Government and the industry.
It assures fertiliser safety and security, from sourcing through to the delivery of finished products to the end user, including farmers and growers.
Working with government
FIAS gave regulators the confidence in the product stewardship applied by the fertiliser industry, making sure that the supply of fertiliser is managed so that products can be used only for legitimate purposes, including in crop production, and that the supply chain is managed at all stages with regard to security, public safety, and the environment.
FIAS participants include fertiliser manufacturers, packers, ports, merchants, transport operators, and stores. They are all independently audited to internationally recognised standards every year.
The scheme later gained an Earned Recognition Agreement with the Department for Transport. For FIAS assured hauliers transporting fertilisers which are high consequence dangerous goods, this agreement can mean they see less frequent government inspections and reduced regulatory burden.
Watch the video below to find out more about the FIAS scheme.
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Visit the AIC at 20 webpage for more content like this.
Authors
Oli Hill
As Head of Communications, Oli creates and oversees the content published on AIC's website, emails, Member briefings, print publications, and social media. A qualified multimedia journalist, he previously spent six years working at Farmers Weekly magazine as a Senior Reporter on the arable team, and latterly as Community Editor. More recently he was Communications Manager at Red Tractor.
Roberta Reeve
Roberta Reeve is Technical Manager for AIC Services. She is based at AIC Head Office, Peterborough and is responsible for the management and coordination of the AIC assurance schemes.
