Submission to the 'UK Fertilisers: Regulatory Reform' Consultation and Call for Evidence
The consultation and call for evidence, 'UK fertilisers: regulatory reform Modernising fertilisers legislation to develop a harmonised regulatory framework for placing fertilising products on the market across the UK’, gave three AMI members the opportunity to share their thoughts! Their submission argues that the current regulatory framework needs to better account for microbial and biological products, which play a growing role in sustainable agriculture.
Key concerns raised include gaps in the definition of plant bio-stimulants, potential health and environmental risks from certain products such as seaweed extracts and specific bacterial strains, and the need for clearer contaminant standards. They draw on international examples from the EU, US, and Australia to recommend a tiered, risk-proportionate approval system that supports innovation without compromising safety. The submission also calls for early regulatory pathways for microbial fertilisers, greater integration of circular economy principles, and dedicated technical workshops to ensure the framework reflects modern microbiological science.
You can read their full response below!