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A considered approach needed on ammonium nitrate
6 Apr 2004
The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) today called on governments, fertiliser companies and industry organisations to adopt a considered and comprehensive approach to the development of measures to prevent the illicit use of ammonium nitrate fertilisers and other hazardous substances in explosive devices.
NFF President, Mr Peter Corish said NFF recognised the Government’s concerns regarding the accessibility of ammonium nitrate fertilisers under present regimes and the need to introduce more stringent point of sale controls, but the ongoing importance of ammonium nitrate as a cost-effective nutrient source in Australian farming must be acknowledged.
“Ammonium nitrate represents an important fertiliser capable of efficiently delivering nitrogen within cooler-climate farming systems, and within fertigation systems, where the product’s solubility allows nitrogen to be delivered in a liquid form through irrigation pipes to horticultural crops, vines and tree crops,” Mr Corish said.
NFF has acknowledged the rationale behind the Attorney-General’s recent proposal to introduce a licencing and permit system requiring individuals purchasing ammonium nitrate to demonstrate a legitimate need, secure storage facilities and to comply with an ASIO background check. However, NFF has been concerned about the haste with which the proposal has been developed and put forward to State Governments.
“NFF believes that it is essential that State Government’s take the time to work with farmers and other legitimate users in developing an appropriate scheme that minimises any cost and compliance burdens on bona fide ammonium nitrate users, while overcoming the obvious inadequacies within current regulatory systems,” Mr Corish said.
NFF believes the recent decision of the major player in the Australian fertiliser market Incitec-Pivot to withdraw from the ammonium nitrate market is premature, and does little to address the broader question of how this fertiliser and other hazardous substances can be effectively regulated into the future.
“Although Incitec-Pivot has indicated the availability of alternate nitrogen fertilisers that may represent substitutes for ammonium nitrate, concerns have been raised by our membership that some of these products are less effective while others are more expensive, and therefore may not represent viable alternatives for many Australian farm businesses,” Mr Corish said.
“NFF is also concerned that the preoccupation of governments with ammonium nitrate as the chemical of choice for bomb making, may actually overlook many other hazardous substances that are readily available, such as pool chemicals, industrial chemicals and other fertilisers, and which may pose a comparable threat in the hands of criminals.
“We urge governments and fertiliser industry stakeholders to take the time to review the options currently available to restrict the sale of ammonium nitrate products and to adopt a comprehensive, and considered approach to the regulation of all substances that may pose major terrorist risks.
“Given the details of the proposed permit and licensing system remain unclear and are largely in the hands of State Governments, NFF will be writing to State Premiers in coming days to reiterate the importance of ammonium nitrate and urge them to take a considered approach to the question of additional restrictions on this important agricultural product.”
National Farmers' Federation press release, 5th April 2004.
by Mairi Barton, General Manager Public Relations, NFF
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