Fertcare to guide fertilizer industry
Australia’s fertilizer industry will be measured by new standards from today, with the launch of a new training and accreditation program by Peter McGauran, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The Fertcare program was developed to ensure farmers receive consistent quality advice on using fertilizers for optimum production, protection of the environment and food safety.
Fertcare is a product of many years’ work by the fertilizer industry’s two peak bodies, the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia (FIFA) and the Australian Fertiliser Services Association (AFSA). It has the support of the National Landcare Program, including funding for the development and promotion of the project.
Speaking at the launch on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra, Mr McGauran congratulated the fertilizer industry for taking such a progressive approach to ensuring best practice fertilizer handling and use.
“Fertcare will benefit everyone on the land who relies on fertilizers to achieve productivity improvements, but it will also play a major role in safeguarding Australia’s environment from the consequences of misuse,” he said.
Mr McGauran announced the first six businesses to receive Fertcare accreditation – Laharum Bulk Handling, Dellavedova Fertiliser Services, Korumburra Lime & Spreading and Jenkins Fertilisers & Limes from Victoria, Fertspread from New South Wales and Impact Fertilisers from Tasmania.
Fertcare training is conducted at three levels, aimed at logistics providers, sales staff and agronomic advisers.
Level A training involves developing a basic understanding of fertilizers and soil ameliorants, such as physical identification, understanding product labelling, storage and handling characteristics and the main environmental and food safety risks.
A more advanced course for sales staff, Level B, provides basic training in plant nutrition and gives participants more knowledge about the environment and food safety issues associated with fertilizers.
Level C training is aimed at agronomists. The course covers environmental issues, environmental stewardship practices, regulations and label requirements, sampling and food safety issues. With recognition of prior competency, agronomists can become fully accredited Fertcare advisers.
Nick Drew, Executive Manager for FIFA and AFSA, said Fertcare was strongly backed by the industry and was likely to be adopted by the vast majority of Australian businesses involved in fertilizer supply and distribution.
He predicted Fertcare accreditation would soon be considered by farmers as a symbol of quality for fertilizer supply, application and advice.
Enquiries about Fertcare can be directed to FIFA in Canberra on 02 6230 6987.
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 (Click Photo for a larger version)
Peter McGauran, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, congratulates Shane Dellevedova, National President of the Australian Fertiliser Services Association (left), and David Ford, Vice Chairman of the Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia, on the launch of the Fertcare program in Canberra today.
Fertcare Launch Pictures
Media enquiries:
Russ Neal
Minister McGauran’s office
Phone: 02 6277 7520
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