CFI invites farmers to join security council

Ottawa, Ontario-There may be a truce of sorts in the war of words between Canadian farmers and retailers over which one can better secure ammonium nitrate imports from Russia and other fertilizer imports that may follow (GM March 10, p. 12). Farmers of North America, which touched off the disagreement last fall when it brought in a freighter of AN for members, is accepting an invitation to join the Fertilizer Safety and Security Council established by the industry to promote safe fertilizer practices. FNA Chief Operating Officer Jason Mann confirmed that he had received the invitation from the Canadian Fertilizer Institute and planned to reply in the affirmative. David MacKay, executive director of the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR), told Green Markets he considered Mann’s response a positive move. “It always helps to have all the stakeholders at the table,” MacKay stated. “It’s an excellent gesture and I applaud CFI for extending it.” He added that he expects the deliberations “will be contentious but it’s still better to have an open dialogue.” After the Russian freighter docked at Churchill, Manitoba, just before Arctic ice closed the shipping lanes, CAAR suggested that its retailers were better equipped to keep the product from falling in the wrong hands – or would be with some financial help – than the farmers who are storing a lot more N-based fertilizer in bulk without having to take the responsibility. Mann and the FNA, however, charged that CAAR’s position on the issue was less about security and more about control and distribution. It’s still not clear how growers will be affected by the Ammonium Nitrate Code of Practice developed by the fertilizer council in partnership with the explosives regulatory division of Natural Resources of Canada. Noting that the code is still to be implemented, CFI President Roger Larson said that the organization expects anyone who imports fertilizer materials into Canada to meet both the spirit and the technical requirements of the code. Larson added, “All businesses need to step up to protect the safety and security of Canadians.” CFI Vice President David Finlayson, who serves as executive director of the fertilizer council, personally issued the invitation for FNA “to participate in the council and have a direct role with the AN Code of Practice, which includes standards for appropriate security and storage.” Mann said he received the invitation and an application by email earlier this month and will be sending an acceptance. He added that his alliance has no problem working with CFI and supports a code for handling AN “as long as it’s about security issues and not about trying to control distribution.” Actually, Mann heard from CFI right after the Russian shipment came in last October and asked for an application but never received it. “We’re willing to comply with what the government has proposed,” he added, “but it has to be practical and not create a barrier to our importing.”