Fertcare Product stewardship for the Australian Fertilizer Industry

What is Fertcare? A national industry accreditation program:  combining training, quality assurance, certification and licensing  focussing on environmental and food safety issues associated with fertilizers and soil ameliorants  covering specific OH&S issues  to support sustainable farming.

Why Fertcare?  Environmental issues  Eutrophication of fresh and marine waters  Greenhouse gas (N 2 O) emissions.  Food safety  Heavy metal and other “chemical” contaminants are at the top of the list.  Industry Credibility  Government stakeholders trust and confidence  Sales pressures and recommendations  Consistency of lab’ results and interpretations.

Government Support The Australian Government has shown significant support for Fertcare, through around $1,000,000 in government funding, and other examples of public support.

Real Issues - Eutrophication  Great Barrier Reef  Peel Estuary  Swan River  Gippsland Lakes  Murray Darling  85% of Waterways at risk.

Real Issues – Food Safety

Real Issues – Industry Credibility

Industry Principles  There are genuine environment and food safety issues associated with fertilizers  The industry needs to deal positively with these issues  The industry should engage in public policy development to ensure sound outcomes. Fertcare provides the key

Training  Three levels of training:  A (Logistics)  B (Sales)  C (Advisor)  National and open to all  Delivered:  through registered training organisations  by qualified trainers  to national training (competency) standards.

‘Eligible’ Staff Eligible staff are:  Those who provide advice on fertilizer and soil ameliorant use to end users  This includes those who provide such advice in a sales, advisory or logistic role  Those involved in transport and application of fertilizer and soil ameliorants  Those involved in the storage and handling of fertilizer and soil ameliorants.

Level A Training  For spreading, transport and storage operators  Provides basic understanding of fertilizer and soil ameliorants including:  physical identification  labels  storage and handling characteristics  environment and food safety risks.

Level B Training  Medium level knowledge of issues, principals and management strategies for:  Soils, nutrients and fertilizers  Environment & food safety  Regulations  Sampling  Logistics and  Occupational health and safety issues.  Encourages sales staff to seek the advice of nutrition specialists as required.

Level C Training  Detailed and complex knowledge of:  Environmental issues  Fertilizer environmental stewardship review methodology (FESR)  Food safety issues  Sampling  The regulatory framework and label requirements  Awareness of OH&S and stewardship issues in transport, storage, handling and application  Pre-requisite for Fertcare Accredited Adviser program

Training Delivery  All training must be delivered and assessed by a qualified trainer  Delivery options are:  Level A – half day workshop per unit or self-paced e- learning CD, both options include some workplace assessment  Level B – self-paced CD learning, followed by 1 day workshop & assessment or e-learning assessment  Level C – self-paced learning workbook, followed by 1- day workshop, including assessment.

Accredited Adviser Program Fertcare accredited advisors will:  Complete Level C training  Demonstrate competence in soil and plant test interpretation – through individual assessment or assessment of company programs  Be subject to a biennial third-party audit of recommendations made, to ensure that they meet standards for productivity, food safety and environmental risk management. They will then be able to advertise their Fertcare status

Premises QA  Premises that store or handle fertilizer products will be subject to a third-party audit to ensure effective management of risks to:  Environment  Occupational Health and Safety  Security.

Accu-Spread  Application equipment should be assessed and certified by a third-party tester every 2.5 years.

The Trade Mark  A license to use the Fertcare brand can be issued, on compliance with program requirements  A strong brand profile should have a significant effect on uptake.

Benefits To farmers  Quality services and up-to-date information  Confidence in independently audited agronomists  Efficient and even application of fertilizers To industry  Knowledgeable and professional staff  Credible government profile, supporting industry access to policy development and funds  A degree of ‘self-regulation’ To Government  Use of accredited advisers as ‘conduits’ for communication of relevant policies and programs  Industry best practice programs reduces reliance on government

For everyone, a sustainable future!

Further Information Fertilizer Australia and AFSA Executive Ph:(02) Nick Drew: Jeff Kraak: