Inorganic Fertilisers

HC Deb 29 January 1974 vol 868 cc77-8W

Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how standards proposed for EEC-type inorganic fertilisers compare with current United Kingdom standards.

Mrs. Fenner

Part IV of the Agriculture Act 1970 requires that the sale of any fertiliser be accompanied by an accurate declaration of its contents in terms of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash and of certain trace elements. If the seller chooses to use a name scheduled in the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Regulations 1973 (SI 1973/1521), the product must then conform to the corresponding scheduled description, which may include a standard of composition. Under the draft Directive only those inorganic fertilisers conforming to its provisions would qualify to be termed "EEC type." The provisions include prescribed descriptions and maximum and minimum nutrient standards.