National Fertiliser Database on trade in fertiliser and lime comes into effect - over 90,000 farmers registered
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue T.D, today welcomed the fantastic level of engagement with registration under the National Fertiliser Database and urged remaining farmers to sign up.
From today, any farmer or other Professional Fertiliser End User who wishes to purchase fertiliser, including lime, must be registered as a Professional Fertiliser End User with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
This is a very straightforward and simple process whereby farmers, or their agents, can register using www.agfood.ie. Importantly, those farmers involved in the import of fertiliser, farm to farm transfers, and/or retail sale of fertiliser must also register as Fertiliser Economic Operators on www.agfood.ie.
While many farmers will not purchase fertiliser at this time of year, there has been exceptionally strong farmer registrations on the National Fertiliser Database. The Department confirmed that as of today, over 90,000 farmers have registered for the Database.
Commenting on this exceptional level of engagement, Minister McConalogue stated, “I thank every farmer that has registered for the National Fertiliser Database. There has been phenomenal engagement with the new system by farmers and their agents which further demonstrates farmers willingness to embrace positive changes. Registration is a very simple process. I encourage those who have yet to register to do so as soon as possible to avoid any potential disruption to their farming operations.”
The legislative requirements on the sale and import of fertiliser also come into force today. Around 1,000 Fertiliser Economic Operators (merchants and farmers) have registered on the National Fertiliser Database. From today all fertiliser imports into the State must be notified to the National Fertiliser Database (within 72 hours of import) and all data on fertiliser transactions must be recorded by Fertiliser Economic Operators.
Department officials will be available at the Ploughing Championships to assist with any queries or difficulties regarding registration or use of the National Fertiliser Database.
ENDS
Note for Editors
The National Fertiliser Database has been developed to:
- record fertiliser sales along the supply chain
- achieve better compliance with water quality and environmental ambitions
- help Ireland meet commitments to the European Commission arising from our 5th Nitrates Action Programme; and
- to simplify farmer’s reporting of fertiliser use under regulatory schemes and voluntary initiatives.
Under the provisions of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 from today, the 1st of September 2023:
- it is an offence to sell or purchase fertiliser including lime without being registered.
- any imports into the State must be notified to the National Fertiliser Database within 72 hours of import.
- all data on fertiliser transactions is to be recorded by Fertiliser Economic Operators.
Other key dates
14 September 2023
Declaration Date of Closing Stocks for Professional Fertiliser End Users.
30 September 2023
Declaration Date of Closing Stocks for Fertiliser Economic Operators.
15 October 2023
Date by which Professional Fertiliser End Users and Fertiliser Economic Operators must submit closing stocks, including NIL stock where relevant, to the National Fertiliser Database.
15 December 2023
Date by which Fertiliser Economic Operators must submit September, October and November 2023 sales data to the National Fertiliser Database.
15 January 2024
Date by which Fertiliser Economic Operators must submit December 2023 sales data to the National Fertiliser Database. All monthly sales data from 1 December 2023 are required to be submitted by the 15th of the subsequent month.
Note: As a transitional measure to facilitate IT development by fertiliser retailers, the September, October and November 2023 sales data must be returned by 15 December 2023 but from 1 December 2023, monthly data must be uploaded to the database by the 15th day of the subsequent month.
Press Office
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Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
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T +353 (0)1 607 2802
gov.ie - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (www.gov.ie)