Washington, D.C.-The Fertilizer Institute on Nov. 2 expressed support for the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to remove urea fertilizer from the final Appendix A list of chemicals in its Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). The final Appendix A, released by DHS on Nov. 2 (GM Nov. 5, p. 14), contains a list of chemicals that, if possessed by a facility in a specified quantity, trigger a requirement to complete and submit an online consequence assessment tool called a Top-Screen. The information gathered through the Top-Screen will help DHS make preliminary determinations as to which facilities present a high level of security risk. “Although we are pleased with the removal of urea from the chemicals list, our industry stands to be impacted heavily by new security regulations imposed on facilities that possess other fertilizers above the threshold levels,” said TFI President Ford B. West. “As members go through the process of registering and complying with these new security regulations, TFI will continue to work with DHS to ensure our members’ compliance questions are answered.” In comments submitted to DHS in May, TFI requested that DHS remove urea, potassium nitrate, and sodium nitrate from the final Appendix A, as well as increase the screening threshold quantity (STQ) associated with anhydrous ammonia, aqua ammonia, and nitric oxide. DHS expects the final Appendix A to be published in the Federal Register the third week of November, which will start the 60-day clock to register and complete the Top-Screen.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain