FERTILIZING MATERIALS INSPETION PROGRAM Organic Fertilizer Association of California July 23, 2009 Amadou Ba (Ph.D) Research Manager
Dec 27, 2015
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