Feeding the world’s growing population

New Zealand’s reputation as a quality food producer is growing.

Optimising food production

Over the next 50 years farmers around the world will need to produce more food than has been grown over the past 10,000 years.

Best use from a limited resource

Fertiliser helps farmers produce food efficiently by replenishing the soil. But fertiliser needs to be used responsibly.

Responsible and sustainable nutrient management

The Fertiliser Association invests in research and tools to ensure farm profitability while minimising nutrient losses to the environment.

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand promotes and encourages responsible and scientifically-based nutrient management.

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Submissions

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand regularly makes submissions on issues related to the fertiliser industry.

Future Tax

30 April 2018

This submission considers the issues and implications of implementing an environmentally-focussed tax. It provides a rationale for why a nationally applied tax system to achieve environmental outcomes is likely to be inefficient and ineffective for the management of farm nutrient losses.

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Proposed amendments ACVM Exemptions and Prohibited Substances Regulation

19 October 2017

We support the general intent of the proposed changes but caution that adequate resourcing and monitoring will be required by the regulator. Clear definitions and criteria are needed to support a risk-based approach, with appropriate protections for the primary industry when using agricultural compounds.

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Productivity Commission – Issue Paper

2 October 2017

We consider that a long-term approach and several mechanisms will be required for achieving a low-emission economy. This paper discusses New Zealand’s potential contribution to reducing GHG emissions, in a global context. It discusses efficiency in production for food security, protecting trade-exposed industries and driving behaviour change.

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Clean Water Consultation Document

28 April 2017

We recognise the need to manage land use activities to maintain or improve water quality. Final outcomes for freshwater values and attribute states must consider costs and challenges involved. This includes recognising the social, economic and cultural effects on the local community. We support a thorough pan-sector consultation and nationally consistent collaborative approach.

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Beneficial Use of Organic Waste Products on Land

31 March 2017

This submission seeks a narrowing of the list of raw organic materials which are suitable for having notable fertilising and soil conditioning properties. It questions the use of nitrogen application limits as the primary land application control.

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Proposed Waikato Regional Plan: Change 1 – Waikato and Waipa Catchments

8 March 2017

This submission provides feedback on the proposed plan to reduce the amount of contaminants entering into the Waikato and Waipā catchments. We support a collaborative approach, on a catchment basis, staged over realistic timeframes to allow for transition and development of capability. We also seek national consistency in programmes.

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Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan

1 September 2016

The Marlborough Environment Plan sets controls on land use and development. We support the overall intent of the Plan. However, we advocate using and applying Farm Environment Plans and industry agreed Good Management Practice to achieve the objectives of the plan.

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Proposed Southland Water and Land Plan

1 August 2016

This submission examines the proposed Southland Water and Land Plan, which is aimed at enabling the sustainable use and development of natural resources. We support its overall intent, but seek simplification of some of the farming rules, and clarification of terms and definitions.

Download

CAA Guidance – Farm airstrips and associated farm cartage, storage and application

15 July 2016

We provide comment on the Civil Agricultural Aviation Authority jettison rules, and application of industry standards and codes of practice.

Download

Proposed Plan Change 10 (Lake Rotorua Nutrient Management) to the Bay of Plenty Regional Water and Land Plan

27 April 2016

We support many aspects of this plan. However, we are generally opposed to the Regional Council’s approach to nutrient management. We seek clarity on the application and representation of ‘Reference Files’, and support the proposed Nutrient Management Plan changes and use of Certified Nutrient Management Advisers.

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The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand and Dairy NZ funded development of the Nutrient Management Adviser Certification Programme (NMACP). This industry-wide certification aims to ensure that advisers have the learning, experience and capability to give sound nutrient advice.

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15 March 2023

The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand has published a revised and updated Code of Practice for fertiliser nutrient management, replacing the previous version published in 2013.

The Code was launched at an event in Wellington on 13 March 2023, attended by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor.

Minister O’Connor welcomed the publication of the Code, saying it was important good guidance is available for all farm inputs for farmers and the wider sector.

He described farming – producing food for communities and the world – as the most noble of professions. Farmers were dealing with challenges every day and providing them with tools and knowledge was important, he said.

The Code is a key resource tool for the management of nutrients on arable and pastoral farms, horticulture and viticulture blocks, and market gardens.

Association Chief Executive Vera Power says the revised Code provides clear principle-based guidance on supplying nutrients for growing healthy food and fibre.

“Following the Code provides users, regulatory authorities and markets confidence that the nutrients used in Aotearoa New Zealand primary production are managed in a way that minimises adverse environmental impacts,” says Dr Power.

“We believe all New Zealand farmers and growers want to meet societal and their own high expectations for growing healthy food while minimising environmental impacts. Supporting all our aspirations remains at the heart of the guidance provided by this Code.”

The revised Code has had extensive input from  agricultural and scientific experts, regulators and industry groups. It can be downloaded from the Association website at www.fertiliser.org.nz

7 September 2022

The 2022 AgriTechNZ Baseline of Digital Adoption in Primary Industries report was released in August.

Created as part of a study by AgriTechNZ and insights partner Research First, the report was co-designed with partners The Fertiliser Association of New Zealand, Zespri, The Foundation of Arable Research and DairyNZ. It was also supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries as part of the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures initiative (SFFF).

The 60-page report looks at digital adoption, including key drivers and barriers across the dairy, horticulture, arable and beef/sheep sectors.

You can download the report here.

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