NZ: Fertmark certified fertiliser producers at all time high
“It is a real commitment by the ethical fertiliser industry to provide that range of product to the New Zealand farmer,” Neil Barton said. “All Fertmark certified companies are independently audited and support a rigorous code of practice. Fertmark fertilisers are also randomly audited so the farmer knows what is on the label is in the bag or the bin.
“That is a tremendous service for our farmers. New Zealand cannot survive without fertiliser so the quality of our product is paramount. It is important to acknowledge that our soils aren’t naturally fertile.
“To farm in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way, farmers have to know exactly what they are putting on their land. With Fertmark products they can do just that.
“There is some angst around the use of fertilisers in general but research has shown that our production will drop by up to two thirds if we don’t use fertiliser. That would
be catastrophic for the country.
“The issue is to decide what fertiliser to use and farmers should insist on a product with the Fertmark tick before they put anything on their land,” Neil Barton said.
For more information:
Neil Barton
Fertiliser Quality Council
Tel: +64 (0)3 6888-238
www.fqc.co.nz
