Farmers reminded to show photo ID for AN fertiliser ahead of busy spring application campaign
Agri-supply trade association the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is reminding farmers of the need to provide photo ID before they can purchase ammonium nitrate (AN) fertiliser, ahead of the busy spring application campaign.
Since October 2023 it has been a legal requirement for farmers to prove their identity to their supplier as part of tighter regulations designed to prevent AN fertilisers from falling into the hands of terrorists and other criminals.
The Home Office amended the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations to include new substances to the lists of regulated explosives precursors and poisons, including AN with a nitrogen content of 16% or more.
This applies to compounds, blends and mixtures such as NPK fertiliser containing ammonium nitrate at or above the nitrogen content threshold.
Visit the GOV.UK website for further details, guidance and a full list of chemicals covered by the regulations.
Photo ID and statement needed
The new rules mean agri-supply businesses supplying regulated explosives precursors, including some fertiliser and crop protection products, will need to take strict steps to verify the legitimacy of an individual or business.
AIC's Head of Fertiliser, Jo Gilbertson, said: "Spring is a critical period for timely fertiliser applications, so it's important that farmers are fully aware of these new requirements to avoid delays when purchasing the products they need.
"AIC has been working with farming unions to ensure that the practicalities of this revised legislation are fully understood by farmers across the UK, making sure that they are well prepared for the changes."
Photo ID - such as a driving licence or passport - can be provided for anyone working for a farm business who is authorised to make the purchase, with suppliers also legally required to take a written or verbal statement confirming that the purchaser is a professional user of AN fertilisers.
Agricultural suppliers are now legally obliged to confirm the identity of a customer and keep a record of their photo ID and statement before AN fertiliser can be sold, regardless of any prior relationship between supplier and farmer.
A free downloadable flyer has been produced by AIC to help inform the farming customers of its Members on new rules for ammonium nitrate fertilisers.
The downloadable A5 resource can be printed and displayed or offered to farmers and growers to raise awareness of the new legal requirement to provide photo ID when ordering AN fertilisers.
For further information and queries on the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations, contact the Home Office’s Chemical Reporting Team at [email protected].
Notes for editors
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is the UK’s leading agricultural supply trade association, representing agricultural supply chain sectors including arable marketing, crop protection, agronomy, feed, fertiliser, and seed.
Formed in 2003, AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade which are responsible for £17.8 billion of annual farm trade.
AIC is marking 20 years as the leading voice of the UK agri-supply industry, working in support of modern, sustainable, commercial agriculture. Visit the website to find out more.
Political lobbying and policy influencing is a major part of its work, as well as supporting Members with technical information.
AIC Services, which is the professional services arm of the AIC, manages a range of services, including Assurance Schemes recognised by UK government as essential tools to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security. These include:
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Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
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Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
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Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
Visit the AIC website to find out more.
Press contact
Oli Hill, Communications Manager, AIC
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]
Author
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.
