Springfield-The State of Illinois on Dec. 6 awarded nearly $140,000 in grants to help 35 west central Illinois agrichemical dealers prevent the theft of anhydrous ammonia for use in making methamphetamine. The dealers operate 58 locations in the region. The funds will be used to tighten security, which could include tamper-proof locks, lighting, and surveillance equipment, or additive to render the ammonia useless for meth production. The plan now is to open the program to dealers state-wide, with $1.4 million available in the second round of grants. All businesses selling anhydrous ammonia will be eligible. Forms and rules are available at www.agri.state.il.us.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain