The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has warned growers to prepare for changes in the law when purchasing ammonium nitrate fertilisers.
The Home Office has amended the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 to include ammonium nitrate with a nitrogen content of 16% or above. This new ruling applies to compounds, blends and mixtures.
It means that businesses supplying these products will need to take additional steps to verify the legitimacy of the individual or business, including the requirement of a photo ID.
The AIC warns that tens of thousands of farming customers could be barred from placing orders as of the 1st of October unless they can submit a photo ID to the retailer. This ID can be for anyone working within the business who is authorised to make the purchase.
Jo Gilbertson, AIC’s head of fertiliser, said: “While we will always support efforts to further minimise the public safety risks of fertiliser falling into the wrong hands, the Government has failed to understand how ammonium nitrate products are bought and sold within agriculture.
“Fertiliser orders are often made by farmers and growers over the phone, not over a shop counter, making it impractical to meet the new requirement to show a passport, driving licence or other photo ID.
“AIC is concerned that unless farming customers can show distributors their photo ID, they legally will not be able to place an order and we may see a situation where there is a de facto ban on AN fertiliser sales from October.
“AIC will be working with farming unions to ensure that the practicalities of this new legislation is better understood by farmers across the UK, making sure that they are well prepared for the changes.”
