RISING ENERGY costs, environmental pressure and even terrorism are the key challenges currently facing the fertiliser industry, an industry expert has warned.

Everyone involved with the fertiliser industry in the UK will have to consider these factors to stay in business, said Paul Thompson, chairman of the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) fertiliser sector.

“Environment, security and energy costs are all areas where the voice of AIC must be heard – and where each and every one of us must also play our part,” he said.

A voluntary code of practice has been produced for the industry to improve the traceability of AN fertilisers and shorten the supply chain, Mr Thompson added.

This code has met government approval, although he urges manufacturers, distributors and suppliers to adopt the provisions as a minimum to avoid more restrictive measures being imposed.