Guidelines for Developing Nutrient Management Codes of Practice

Abstract Poor nutrient management has unwelcome consequences from both a production and an environmental perspective. Public perception is that incorrect use of fertilizers can damage the environment, and that it is the responsibility of the fertilizer industry to provide information about responsible use to farmers. Internationally, some governments have responded by bringing fertilizer use under legislative control. A regulatory response in Australia is undesirable from both the industry and end-user perspective, because of the risk of inflexible, blanket requirements. Self-regulation through the development of codes of best management practice is preferable. The Fertilizer Industry Federation of Australia, Inc. (FIFA), through the Nutrient Management Working Party, has taken pro-active steps aimed to improve nutrient management for production and environmental benefits, and which may help to avoid prescriptive legislation.