Tallahassee — Bills pending in the Florida Legislature could nullify local ordinances that restrict the use of fertilizers. Senate Bill 604 and its companion, House Bill 421, would exempt individuals who take a course in application procedures from local ordinances restricting the use of fertilizers during certain periods of the year. Many of the cities and counties that have adopted rules governing the use of fertilizers are on the Gulf Coast, where outbreaks of red tide have been a problem. Although the science has been incomplete, some claim allowing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate to enter waterways that feed into the Gulf of Mexico increases the red tide problem. A law was passed last year that precluded local governments from passing any new ordinances restricting the use of fertilizers, but allowed those adopted before the law was passed to remain in effect. As of late last week, HB 421 was awaiting action in the State Affairs committee, while SB 604 was pending approval of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation subcommittee but was on temporary hold.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain