Appendix 2: Industry Programmes

Industry programmes have been developed to promote improved nutrient management, some of which are listed below.

Fertmark

Fertmark is an independently assessed fertiliser and lime quality assurance programme run by the Fertiliser Quality Council. It provides quality assurance on the claimed nutrient content of each Fertmark registered fertiliser product. Independent audits are made on product quality and the quality systems of the participating fertiliser or lime companies.

Fertmark registered manufacturers, importers and suppliers also have an advertising code of conduct, so they should be able to verify the claims they make about the products they sell. The bright green Fertmark tick stands for fertiliser quality assurance.

Spreadmark: Code of Practice for the Placement of Fertiliser in New Zealand

The Spreadmark Code of Practice for the Placement of Fertiliser in New Zealand enables farmers and land managers to get the best value for their fertiliser dollar through a fertiliser placement quality assurance programme. Like Fertmark, it is also administered by the Fertiliser Quality Council. There are two sections to the Spreadmark programme. One applies to ground spreading and another to aerial topdressing.

Spreadmark: Groundspreading

The Spreadmark programme was established by the NZ Ground Spread Fertilisers Association in 1994. It was subsequently expanded by a group with representatives from Federated Farmers, the NZGFA, fertiliser companies and The Fertiliser Asscociation, and came under the Fertiliser Quality Council by 2002.

It has as its objective the placement of fertilisers in locations where they can be of the most agricultural benefit and the least environmental harm. The scheme registers spreading companies provided they have certified spreading machinery that can operate with accuracy within defined bout widths, trained operators and an appropriate quality management system which ensures that farmer/land manager outcomes are met and environmental sustainability is protected. Overall systems are subject to an independent audit.

Spreadmark: Aerial Application

In June 2006 the Fertiliser Quality Council introduced a programme for aerial applicators (fixed wing and rotary) of fertiliser. This was developed with the NZ Agricultural Aviation Association. The Spreadmark module can be completed as part of the NZAAA Accreditation Programme. Like the ground spreaders, aerial companies must have an active quality management programme, have spreading test patterns for their equipment, and competent operators. The programme assists in the management of risks, and has traceability of the application.

Code of Practice for the Management of Nutrient Solutions Released from Greenhouses

This Code is designed for the management of nutrient solutions associated with soil-less production of vegetables and flowers in modern greenhouses – in particular, it addresses responsible discharge of nutrient-rich solution which may reach ground or surface water.

Nitrates are the principal nutrients addressed by the Code which aims to:

• assist in management decisions
• retain access to international markets as part of a quality assurance scheme
• help growers to meet their responsibilities under the RMA.

Three main sections include -

• design and operation of a soil-less system
• solution collection and storage
• fact sheets with information, figures, calculations and tables for assessing viable options for nutrients stored and discharged

Clean Streams Accord

The Accord promotes sustainable dairy farming in New Zealand. It focuses on reducing the impacts of dairying on the quality of New Zealand streams, rivers, lakes, ground water and wetlands.

Market Focused

An environmental management system for New Zealand dairy farmers. Market Focused assists dairy farmers meet their industry requirements.