Fertiliser Security and Traceability – The UK Approach

Keywords: fertiliser security, traceability, homemade explosives, terrorism, assurance schemes, FIAS.

Summary:

With the heightened concern over the increase in terrorist activities and the potential for the use of fertilisers in the manufacture of improvised explosive devices and the need to ensure the traceability of agricultural inputs, the UK Government concluded that an industry co-ordinated assurance scheme should be established. Based on the success of its Code of Practice for the Transfer and Traceability of Fertilisers Classified as Dangerous Goods, Defra requested that the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) co-ordinated the development and management of a fertiliser supply industry assurance scheme. Defra invited a wide range of stakeholders to participate on a Steering Group to oversee the development of what became known as the Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS). Product Authentication International Ltd (PAI) was appointed as the Certification Body to the scheme and together with the Steering Group and its Technical Working Group produced the Scheme Manual and Standards and Guidance Notes for each of the five sectors covered: manufacturers, merchants, importers, transport and storage. The scheme was launched early in 2006 and the first company certified in July. One company’s experience in achieving FIAS certification is described.

Graham P Smith, NaCTSO, PO Box 849, London SW1P 1XD, UK.

John M W Kelley, AIC, East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE, UK.

Mike W Buchan, Kemira GrowHow UK Ltd, Ince, Chester CH2 4LB, UK.

David J Heather, Consultant, 22 Kelthorpe Close, Geeston, Ketton, Nr Stamford PE9 3RS, UK.

24 pages, 11 figures, 2 tables, 6 references.