High Nitrogen (>3%N) Liquid Fertilizer Information Page
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Current approval status: Approved Liquid Fertilizers List
Important Update about High Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizers
Per the notice published by the National Organic Program (NOP) on December 14, 2009, all manufacturers of high nitrogen liquid fertilizers must be inspected and approved by October 1, 2009 in order for organic farmers to continue using their products. The NOP December 14, 2009 notice superceded the previous NOP notice of 2/20/09.
CCOF, OMRI and others have been busy inspecting and reviewing these fertilizer manufacturers over the last nine months. Click here to read the current list of manufacturers and products that have completed the inspection and review process and continued to be allowed for use in organic production by CCOF certified operations. This list will be updated as additional manufacturers complete the inspection and approval process.
Any liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen claim of 3% that does not appear on the CCOF approved list, unless it is listed
as approved by OMRI or WSDA, may not be used by CCOF certified operations. If you wish to use a liquid fertilizer with a nitrogen analysis of 3% or greater that is not on this list or listed by OMRI or WSDA, you must provide CCOF documentation that the manufacturer has been inspected and approved according to the criteria in the February 20, 2009 guidance document. If you are using a material that appears on this list and appears on your OSP, you do not have to do anything.
Use of any high nitrogen liquid fertilizer that has not been verified as compliant with the December 14, 2009 NOP guidance may put the certification of your operation, land or products at risk. Please remember that you cannot use any input material in your organic production until it has been:
- Listed by OMRI/ WSDA or you have an approved Material Review Request Form from CCOF
- Listed in your Organic System Plan section G5.1
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to tackle the issues that arose from concerns regarding the legitimacy of some liquid fertilizers. We understand that these changes to policies and product approvals may be confusing and complicated. CCOF takes these decisions seriously and does not disallow materials lightly. Thank you for working with us to ensure the integrity of organics!
Previous Notices and Background information:
NOP Updates Liquid Fertilizer Policy (12/14/09) | Important Notice About Liquid Fertilizers-List of Materials No Longer Approved by CCOF (5/15/09) | NOP Addresses Liquid Fertilizer and Input Approval Issues (2/20/09) | CCOF Launches Fertilizer Sampling Initative (2/13/09) | Important Fertilizer Update: ALL Port Organic Products, LTC Prohibited Immediately (1/23/09) | Announcement: 2009 Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy (1/12/09)
NOP Updates Liquid Fertilizer Policy (12/14/09)
The NOP provided NOP accredited certifiers on December 14, 2009 with updated guidance regarding approval of liquid fertilizers. Under the guidance the previous 100 yard separation requirement between synthetic and non-synthetic nitrogen sources is removed. The notice also includes specific audit, approval and other requirements for approving the use of liquid nitrogen fertilizers above 3% nitrogen.
Important Notice About Liquid Fertilizers (5/15/09)
As of May 18, 2009, the following products are no longer approved by CCOF:
Product Name and Manufacturer
Ag Unlimited 4-1-1, AGRO-K Corporation
Aqua-Trend 5-1-1, Agri-Trend, LLC
Eco Life Liquid 3-1-3, Novozymes Biologicals,Inc.
Eco Life Wettable 6-0-6, Novozymes Biologicals, Inc.
Hytech 5-2-2, AGRO-K Corporation
Liquid Fertrell#1: 4-1-1, The Fertrell Company
Megafol 4-0-2, Valagro S.P.A.
Metanaturals 16-0-0, METANATURALS, A Division of Bella Via, LLC
Omega 6-6-6, Petrik Laboratories, Inc.
Pura Vida Organics-Grow, Technaflora Plant Products, LTD
Safer® Brand Fish Emulsion All-Purpose Fertilizer 4-1-2, Woodstream Corporation
Sea Pal Liquid Fish 3-1-1, Sea Pal
Yeoman Organic N 5%, Northwest Agricultural Products
As of May 18, 2009, CCOF clients may not purchase any new inventory of these products; however, existing supplies may be used.
Producers who use any of the above products after May 18, 2009 must be able to show at inspection records demonstrating that the inventory was purchased prior to May 18, 2009.
The manufacturers of the products listed above have not complied with the CCOF requirements for high nitrogen liquid fertilizer manufacturers outlined in CCOF's January 15, 2009 High Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy. This policy required manufacturers to notify CCOF of their inspection body by May 1, 2009. The manufacturers listed above have either ceased production of these products, failed to notify CCOF of their plans to undergo inspection, or have stated that they will not comply. This does not mean that these products have been found to be fraudulently manufactured. CCOF is not making any evaluation regarding the ingredients or formulation of these materials.
CCOF is working diligently with the USDA National Organic Program, the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and other certifying agents to ensure that manufacturers of high nitrogen liquid fertilizers are inspected and verified by October 1, 2009, as required by the USDA NOP and CCOF. We will keep you informed of changes to the approval status of any additional materials as they occur.
For additional information and the latest news about the requirements for high nitrogen liquid fertilizers, see the information below.
NOP Addresses Liquid Fertilizer and Input Approval Issues (2/20/09)
On February 20, 2009, The National Organic Program (NOP) released a notice stating that it is no longer confident that the liquid fertilizers Marizyme and Agrolizer, manufactured by Port Organic Products, Ltd., are in compliance with NOP regulations. Furthermore, the NOP is taking additional steps to protect the organic community by requiring third party reviewers, such as OMRI, to implement a detailed audit and inspection protocol for all high nitrogen liquid fertilizers effective October 1, 2009. Read the full NOP announcement.
CCOF's existing Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy is in full compliance with the NOP requirements and will continue to be in effect. There is no action required from CCOF operators beyond continued compliance with CCOF's previous requirement to cease and desist use of fertilizer products manufactured by Port Organic Products, LTD. Read CCOF’s policy announcement.
CCOF is extremely pleased to see the NOP taking these important steps to ensure the integrity of organic foods are protected. We appreciate their quick and decisive action on this issue. CCOF will continue our efforts at inspection of manufacturing facilities and testing of products in order to deter any further adulteration of products marketed to organic farmers.
CCOF will notify producers of any materials that fail to comply with CCOF and NOP requirements for approval.
CCOF Launches Fertilizer Sampling Initative (2/13/09)
To provide supplemental information for CCOF's Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy (see below) CCOF has recently launched an initative to test a variety of liquid fertilizers. CCOF will be running Nitrogen Isotope Ratio testing in addition to other screens to help identify materials of increased concern. CCOF also plans to work with the organic community and researchers to develop improved testing methodologies. Read this for more information on this initiative. For background information about liquid fertilizers click here.
Important Fertilizer Update: All Port Organic Products, LTD Prohibited Immediately (01/23/09)
Effective January 23, 2009 CCOF is prohibiting all fertilizer products manufactured by Port Organic Products, LTD including, but not limited to:
- All Marizyme products
- All Agrolizer products
- Any products produced using these or other Port Organic Products, LTD materials in any amount
Growers must stop using these products immediately and existing supplies may not be used.
Based on ongoing concerns about high nitrogen liquid fertilizer products combined with recent events and CCOF's commitment to the needs of the organic community, CCOF has determined that we no longer have sufficient confidence that the Marizyme or Agrolizer products comply with the National Organic Program. Therefore they must be prohibited for use immediately.
Additional information:
MSNBC News
Channel 23 News-Bakersfield
These are not the first high nitrogen fertilizers to be prohibited by CCOF and may not be the last. As identified in the Spring 2007 issue of CCOF's Certified Organic magazine, CCOF has significant concerns regarding high nitrogen liquid fertilizers.
CCOF recently implemented a new policy directed at ensuring the organic integrity of liquid fertilizers used by organic growers. Read more below. This policy is aimed at ensuring fertilizer companies undergo third party inspections or face prohibition of their products in late 2009.
CCOF will keep you informed of changes or developments as they arise by posting them in this area of the CCOF website. For a current list of materials recognized by CCOF as compatible with organic production, please visit the OMRI website. Additional information, CCOF's current Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy, and a partial history if this issue can be found below.
Announcement: 2009 Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy (01/12/2009)
Due to CCOF’s ongoing concern regarding the production of liquid fertilizers, CCOF is enacting the following new policies effective January 15, 2009 to protect CCOF organic growers, consumers, and the organic community. CCOF’s goal is to ensure the highest level of verification and implementation of the National Organic Program. Therefore, CCOF is working directly with manufacturers and various compliance and inspection bodies to ensure that the needs of CCOF growers are met. CCOF growers are not required to take any action at this time and will be informed of any changes to the approval status of fertility materials if changes occur.
Download Policy Announcement
Background: For more information regarding the history of this issue see please see CCOF’s article “Liquid Fertilizer: Friend or Foe” in the Spring 2007 issue of Certified Organic.
CCOF has a long history of concern and action regarding this issue and has advocated and spoken out strongly while working with a variety of regulators, clients, farmers and manufactures to help protect organic growers and consumers. CCOF has brought suspicious materials to the attention of several different bodies including WSDA, OMRI and CDFA while keeping NOP apprised of developments.
The following are instances where CCOF has discussed this issue:
2/11/09: CCOF Leads the Discussion about High-Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizers
CCOF Executive Director Peggy Miars and Chief Certification Officer Jake Lewin met with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) officials to update them on the high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer issue. CCOF anticipates that the NOP will address this issue in the near future.
2/3/09: CCOF Testifies before CA Senate Food and Ag Committee
Jake Lewin, CCOF Chief Certification Officer, testified before the newly-named California Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture, entitled “Assuring the Integrity of Organic Food and the Use of Organic Fertilizers.” Jake spoke to CCOF’s role in and response to the high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer issues. Jake’s testimony was provided under rapid-fire questioning by Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), chair of the committee, and Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), vice chair. The committee and other members of the Legislature will consider introducing legislation that will provide CDFA with increased enforcement authority for fertilizer fraud, as well as increasing fines against perpetrators of label violations. Listen to the full Senate Hearing. (NOTE: CCOF and OMRI testimonies begin at the 2 hour mark) Part two of this hearing is available at: www.calchannel.com/channel/viewVideo/77.
1/30/09: CCOF Launches Fertilizer Sampling Initiative
On behalf of CCOF and its members, CCOF launched a Fertilizer Sampling Initiative to test a variety of liquid fertilizers in the marketplace and to provide supplemental information on the recently announced Liquid Fertilizer Approval policy. Read CCOF’s Liquid Fertilizer Approval Policy.
1/15/09: CCOF meets with California Legislative Staff on Issues in Organic
CCOF Policy and Program Director, Claudia Reid, met with four California Legislative staff members regarding liquid organic fertilizer, SOP reform, CDFA, and other related issues. Reid will represent CCOF at an upcoming Senate Committee on Food and Agriculture hearing scheduled for February 3rd, to discuss the integrity of organic food and the use of organic fertilizers. Read more about CCOF Policy and Advocacy efforts
7/30/2008: California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) Meeting.
7/30/2008: California State Organic Program Report: Expansion of Spot Inspections & California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC) Meeting. Also included in Summer 2008 Certified Organic Magazine.
1/25/2008: Presenter at Eco Farm (www.eco-farm.org) 2008 Conference Session titled: High Analysis Liquid Organic Fertilizer: Possible? Download audio (86mb)
12/21/07: Important Materials Update Organic Biolink 14-0-0 Prohibited.
April, 2007: CCOF Liquid Fertilizer Article in Spring issue of Certified Organic.
01/10/07: Important Materials Update- Biolizer XN Prohibited.
Pre 2007: Specific complaints and participation in investigations by securing samples since Spring of 2006.
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