FERTILIZING MATERIALS INSPETION PROGRAM

1. FERTILIZING MATERIALS INSPETION PROGRAM Organic Fertilizer Association of California July 23, 2009 Amadou Ba (Ph.D) Research Manager

2. INTRODUCTION • License companies to sell and distribute fertilizing materials • Review and register product labels for fertilizing materials • Ensures fertilizing materials are safe and effective • Comply with Fertilizing Materials Laws and Regulations • Inspectors enforce state laws and regulations • Consider environmental issues • AGRICULTURAL MINERALS(5% less NPK, golf courses, 2nd nutrients, or micronutrients) • AUX SOIL AND PLANT SUBSTANCES(humic, wetting agent, soil corrective purposes) • COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS(NPK for Ag use) • SOIL AMENDMENTS(promotes soil correction through physical means, gypsum) • SPECIALTY FERTILIZERS (NPK for Home and Garden use)

3. INTRODUCTION FMIP does not enforce standards set forth by the NOP due to a lack of regulatory authority Other important notes………. • Commercial labels not registered with FMIP • Bulk product labels not reviewed* by FMIP • Organic fertilizers must go through 3rd party review prior to review with FMIP • Have authority to sample organic fertilizers * Field inspectors are trained to verify that label complies

4. REGISTRATION 2493 REGISTERED = 5358 LABELS 1451 27% 47% 863 551 10% 16% Data as of July 21, 2009

5. CDFA - Cashier’s Office REGISTRATION Office Technician - Logs in entries. Monitors inputs and outputs. Research Analysts/Environmental Scientists - Ensure compliance with laws & regulations. If approved, documents issued. If changes or additional data are required, letter to company. Efficacy data submitted, forwarded to SES. Staff Environmental Scientist (SES) -Reviews efficacy data. Findings to Registration Specialists.

6. FERTILIZER INSPECTION ADVISORY BOARD • Consist of 9 members (8 should be licensed and one public member) • The board is advisory to the secretary • The FIAB may make recommendations: • Inspection and enforcement • Research and education • Annual budget • Setting fees • Regulations • Other pertinent issues

7. ORGANIC INPUT SUB-COMITTEE • Organic Fertilizer Association of California (OFAC) position paper presentation to the FIAB • OFAC Recommendations for Action • Creation of the Organic Input Sub-Committee

8. ORGANIC INPUT SUB-COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS • Develop new laws specific to organic inputs • Require review of organic input fertilizer labels including bulk products • Provide funding to support the review and inspection specific to organic inputs • Have separate staff focused strictly on organic industry inspections and review • Move forward on civil-penalty language for violations • AB 856 moving through the process

9. Fertilizer Research and Education Program • The Fertilizer Research and Education Program promotes agronomically sound and environmentally safe use of fertilizing materials • Created in 1990 to address environmental issues (nitrate) • From 1990‑2008, FREP has supported over 142 research and education projects • Close to $ 1 million generated each year for Research and Education

10. FREP Projects by Region in CA

11. FREP Projects by Commodity

12. FREP Projects by Discipline

13. REGISTRATION

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