Mark Spencer wanting better assurances for urea stewardship

Grass And Grain · Mar 25, 2023

Old news, but seems to have resurfaced this week. DEFRA want firmer assurances on urea usage to help reduce ammonia emissions (if you think ammonia emissions from urea are a problem in UK climate). They're saying expect legislation unless industry offers a solution.

They seem to want Red Tractor to police it.

How exactly would RT police it?

Is a fixed date much use when it takes zero account of weather conditions?

Thoughts?

Defra farming minister issues stark warning over urea - Farmers Weekly

Defra farming minister Mark Spencer has warned farm leaders that should they fail to introduce an industry scheme to reduce ammonia emissions from urea

www.fwi.co.uk

Editor’s view: Urea debate puts Red Tractor in the spotlight - Farmers Weekly

This week’s announcement that the industry is under pressure to come up with a solution to urea regulation puts the role of Red Tractor back in the

www.fwi.co.uk

Steevo · Mar 25, 2023

Wasn’t happy when I read that article. Totally lost all respect for Mark Spencer now.

Seems ridiculous that they are suggesting farmers who spread untreated urea on 1st April would be forced to go on a FACTS-run course to educate them on ammonia emissions. Seemed a bit like the idea of the speed awareness courses for speeding.

Talk about criminalising people based on a theory rather than reality. A date is meaningless. Urea doesn’t know the difference between 31st March and 1st April. Do they really think this will stop supposed “emissions”?

Seems they are scared of the targets they signed up to. And NFU rather than putting them straight just seem to want to cosy up even more. Not impressed!

Steevo · Mar 25, 2023

“If adopted along the lines of the consortium’s response to a government consultation on the topic last year, it would give Red Tractor the power to sanction non-compliant farmers.

This would take the form of forcing them to complete a Facts training module (and online assessment) covering best practice for managing ammonia loss from fertilisers containing urea, as well as from organic fertilisers.”

Steevo · Mar 25, 2023

Weirdly also only seems to apply to Red Tractor Crops…..not livestock :scratchhead:

wanton dwarf · Mar 25, 2023

Why isn't the Government and DEFRA - specifically the Environment Agency - being drawn over hot coals concering Sewerage Pollution in Rivers ?

Why isn't the Environment Agency being lambasted for failing to recycle Nitrogen, Phosphate & Potassium from Sewerage ?

Why isn't the Environment Agency being lambasted for immediately mixing potable rainwater with sewerage ? Which also causes flooding - Which also causes Pollution - Which is then blamed on farmers.

Pollution only applies to the Plebs - who have to put up with HMG not even providing Carbon Neutral Nitrogen - when they have all the means to do so.

SilliamWhale · Mar 25, 2023

Steevo said:
Weirdly also only seems to apply to Red Tractor Crops…..not livestock

About 75% of our ammonia emissions come from livestock anyway.

Grass And Grain · Mar 25, 2023

Steevo said:
Weirdly also only seems to apply to Red Tractor Crops…..not livestock

Bizarre if only for arable crops.

Seems to be several things here which don't seem all too logical.

If I was RT I'd probably tell DEFRA to go do there own police work. Although suppose RT will think it makes them even more indispensable.

Still, I don't want to see urea banned .

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

Oh look, what a coincidence......

BASIS Classroom is pleased to announce the launch of a new course, explaining how to reduce ammonia emissions from Farming, which has been produced in collaboration with:

Thanks to an industry led commitment to avoid regulation and to reduce ammonia emissions from farms using fertilisers containing urea in England by 11.2KT by 2025, Defra has given industry a window of opportunity to deliver.

This approach has been offered as an alternative to Defra’s original proposals to ban/regulate their use and will instead maintain access to fertiliser supply in support of domestic food production.

The wider drive to improve Farm Nitrogen Use Efficiency hand in hand with improving the utilization of organic supplies of nitrogen is becoming ever more important given the current pressure on farming.

This is why BASIS was asked to work with AIC, CLA, NIAB TAG, NFU and Red Tractor to produce an online course ‘Reducing Ammonia Emissions’ on our BASIS Classroom. This aims to support all farmers across the UK in the joint effort to reduce ammonia emissions from both manufactured fertilisers and from organic materials in livestock housing, storage and when applied to land.

Ammonia lost to the air is nitrogen lost for plant growth. At the same time, ammonia itself and the nitrogen deposition resulting from ammonia emissions negatively affect the environment and biodiversity. I am therefore pleased to announce the launch of a new course from BASIS Classroom, about how to reduce ammonia emissions from farming for both the benefit of farmers, the environment, and society.

On completion of this course, members will receive 2 BASIS CPD points and 2 points are also available for NRoSO members.

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

Link from the image leads to this link which doesn't appear to be quite the same course but still...

BASIS | Exams & Training

www.basis-reg.co.uk

Self-guided online course

The online course is available via BASIS Classroom. The course can be worked through at your own pace with a series of interactive training modules. Work through the learning to suit you and then complete the assessment when you are ready.

The online course cost £195 + VAT per person. Sign up here. If you have a group of more than 10 people, please contact [email protected] to discuss a group discount.

DURATION

In-person: 1 day Online: Approximately 6 hours. Please note: This is a self-led course and due to the amount of learning content and the number of activities, external links and further resources available, it is expected that the time taken to complete the course will vary depending on the user.

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

Steevo said:
Seems ridiculous that they are suggesting farmers who spread untreated urea on 1st April would be forced to go on a FACTS-run course to educate them on ammonia emissions. Seemed a bit like the idea of the speed awareness courses for speeding.

What was it I was saying....?!

Hampton · Mar 27, 2023

Thank god mine all went on on the 31st march!!

PSQ · Mar 27, 2023

Hampton said:
Thank god mine all went on on the 31st march!!

If the 'powers that be' (stupid as they are) inadvertently encourage urea to be applied in large doses just to beat their arbitrary deadline, then they really have lost the plot.

Can anyone post a link to the original ADAS (?) research which supposedly shows volatilisation of N from Urea on pH 8 chalk soils in a poly tunnel in 30+ degrees?

SilliamWhale · Mar 27, 2023

PSQ said:
If the 'powers that be' (stupid as they are) inadvertently encourage urea to be applied in large doses just to beat their arbitrary deadline, then they really have lost the plot.

Can anyone post a link to the original ADAS (?) research which supposedly shows volatilisation of N from Urea on pH 8 chalk soils in a poly tunnel in 30+ degrees?

The argument to counter that is that all urea must be treated

PSQ · Mar 27, 2023

SilliamWhale said:
The argument to counter that is that all urea must be treated

I think we should read the original research first, to see if it's objective.
From what this forum has said over the years the research is deeply flawed, and if that is the case then the counter argument is follow the influence and ask why this policy is being followed, and who we should demand resign from RT, the NFU and DEFRA immediately.

Barleymow · Mar 27, 2023

As I've left rt I suppose I can spread when I like, too wet at the moment though 31st March will be written down

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

Barleymow said:
As I've left rt I suppose I can spread when I like, too wet at the moment though 31st March will be written down

I believe so yes.

It's a good incentive to leave RT........and an even bigger one to leave the NFU.

I'm disappointed at the NFU and CLA on this. I wonder how many of their members feel their views have been represented accurately.

I doubt the government would have banned urea outright without this as they claim. The UK could not produce enough AN to serve the whole market. If they banned untreated urea, then effectively we're back to almost the same place in any event.

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

I also ask the question - why is spreading untreated urea prior to 15th January considered a concern?

Is the chance of volatilisation too high during December?!

ollie989898 · Mar 27, 2023

Urea is used worldwide in a wide range of conditions. The main reason being it is safer to store and more concentrated and so cheaper to ship and handle. Only the fudging NFU could dream up a plan to get rid of urea being used.

DrWazzock · Mar 27, 2023

Neonic seed dressings, a list of actives too long to list here, a host of punitive regulations and hoops to jump through, now urea.
They really don’t want us or the food we produce. That message is simple and clear.
Sustainable Farming Initiative - what a sick joke. Farming gets less sustainable by the day and the reason for that is this pathological Tory government. They are determined to have the guts out of U.K. farming and looks like they are succeeding with nobody to oppose them.

Steevo · Mar 27, 2023

DrWazzock said:
Neonic seed dressings, a list of actives too long to list here, a host of punitive regulations and hoops to jump through, now urea.
They really don’t want us or the food we produce. That message is simple and clear.
Sustainable Farming Initiative - what a sick joke. Farming gets less sustainable by the day and the reason for that is this pathological Tory government. They are determined to have the guts out of U.K. farming and looks like they are succeeding with nobody to oppose them.

I wonder where they will spread all the sewage sludge when there are no food producing farms left to take it.

Doubt they'd want it on the re-wilded land, or the solar farms, or housing estates......

Mark Spencer wanting better assurances for urea stewardship

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