Ninth Working Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Panel on Soils (ITPS), 10 ‐ 12 October 2018, FAO HQ, Rome, Italy

1. Debra Turner
GSP Secretariat
International Code of
Conduct for the Use and
Mangagement of Fertilizers

2. Fertilizer Code of Conduct
A response to:
• COAG 25 recommendation for:
‘’FAO to intensify its food safety work and
technical support to smallholders at local
level concerning the safe use of fertilizers
and pesticides’’
• UNEA 3 Resolution on managing soil
pollution to achieve Sustainable
Development
-> A vehicle to implement the VGSSM

3. Process
December 2017 – February 2018 Open online consultation
February – March 2018 Zero-draft prepared by the ITPS and GSP
secretariat
April – May 2018 Open-ended Working Group review
10 – 12 June 2018 Endorsement by the 6th GSP Plenary
Assembly and request for COAG
consideration with a further consultation
14 June – 18July 2018 Second open online consultation
1 – 5 October 2018 Presentation to COAG
Consultation and Presentation to FAO Counsel in December 2018

4. Scope
Set out roles, responsibilities and actions of:
• Government
• Fertilizer and nutrient recycling industry
• Agricultural extension and advisory services
• Research and Academia
• Farmers and other end users
For production, trade, policy, regulation and use of:
• Synthetic and mineral fertilizers
• Organic fertilizers
• Reused and recycled nutrients

5. Contents Preamble and Introduction 2
1. Scope, Goals, and Objectives 12
2. Terms and Definitions 15
3. Soil fertility and plant nutrition 20
4. Fertilizer use and management 25
5. Nutrient reuse and recycling 31
6. Composition, limits and testing 34
7. Access, distribution and labelling 37
8. Information, Extension and Outreach 41
9. Monitoring and Observance 44
10. References 46

6. Implementation
Countries need assistance for:
• Registration and regulation system of fertilizers
• Fertilizer quality control
• Policy formulation
• Nutrient management strategies and advice
• Capacity development
FAO propose:
• Hold series of regional workshops
• Select pilot countries to implement the Code and
develop set of tools/technical guides
• Create a Nutrient Management/Fertilizer Platform