FERTILIZING MATERIALS INSPETION

PROGRAMOrganic Fertilizer Association of California

July 23, 2009

Amadou Ba (Ph.D)Research Manager

INTRODUCTION

License companies to sell and distribute fertilizing materials

Review and register product labels for fertilizing materials

Ensures fertilizing materials are safe and effectiveComply with Fertilizing Materials Laws and Regulations Inspectors enforce state laws and regulations

Consider environmental issues• AGRICULTURAL MINERALS (5% less NPK, golf courses, 2nd nutrients, or micronutrients)

• AUX SOIL AND PLANT SUBSTANCES (humic, wetting agent, soil corrective purposes)

• COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS (NPK for Ag use)

• SOIL AMENDMENTS (promotes soil correction through physical means, gypsum)

• SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS (NPK for Home and Garden use)

FMIP does not enforce standards set forth by the NOP due to a lack of regulatory authority

Other important notes……….

Commercial labels not registered with FMIP

Bulk product labels not reviewed* by FMIP

Organic fertilizers must go through 3rd party review prior to review with FMIP

Have authority to sample organic fertilizers

* Field inspectors are trained to verify that label complies

INTRODUCTION

REGISTRATION

REGISTERED = 5358LABELS

Data as of July 21, 2009

1311

Agricultu

ral M

inera

l

Speciality F

ertiliz

er

Packaged Soil A

mendm

ents

Aux. Soil a

nd Plant S

ubstance

Nu

mb

er

of l

ab

els

0

250

500

750

1000

1250

1500

1750

2000

2250

2500 2376

850

550

1451

2493

863

551

27%

10%

16%

47%

CDFA - Cashier’s Office

Office Technician -Logs in entries.Monitors inputs and outputs.

Research Analysts/Environmental Scientists -Ensure compliance with laws & regulations. If approved, documents issued. If changes or additional data are required, letter to company. Efficacy data submitted, forwarded to SES.

Staff Environmental Scientist (SES) -Reviews efficacy data. Findings to Registration Specialists.

REGISTRATION

FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD

Consist of 9 members (8 should be licensed and one public member)The board is advisory to the secretaryThe FIAB may make recommendations:

Inspection and enforcementResearch and educationAnnual budgetSetting feesRegulationsOther pertinent issues

ORGANIC INPUT SUB-COMITTEE

Organic Fertilizer Association of California (OFAC) position paper presentation to the FIAB

OFAC Recommendations for Action

Creation of the Organic Input Sub-Committee

ORGANIC INPUT SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Develop new laws specific to organic inputsRequire review of organic input fertilizer labels including bulk productsProvide funding to support the review and inspection specific to organic inputsHave separate staff focused strictly on organic industry inspections and reviewMove forward on civil-penalty language for violations

AB 856 moving through the process

Fertilizer Research and Education Program

The Fertilizer Research and Education Program promotes agronomically sound and environmentally safe use of fertilizing materials

Created in 1990 to address environmental issues (nitrate)

From 1990‑2008, FREP has supported over 142 research and education projects

Close to $ 1 million generated each year for Research and Education

FREP Projects by Region in CA

FREP Projects by Commodity

FREP Projects by Discipline

REGISTRATION

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