fertcare product stewardship for the australian fertilizer industry
TRANSCRIPT
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 (N2O) 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 SupportThe 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’ StaffEligible 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 ProgramFertcare 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.
Bout width selection
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Bout width (m)
Co
V
Racetrack Back and forth Target CoV
Distribution
0
1
2
3
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-30 -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Distance from centre (m)
Dep
osit
(g
)
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.
BenefitsTo 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
www.fertcare.com.au
Fertilizer Australia and AFSA Executive Ph:(02) 6230 6987
Nick Drew: [email protected] Jeff Kraak: [email protected]