Farmers in England are being reminded that they should not use either solid or liquid urea from 1 April, unless it has been treated with a urease inhibitor.

The rules form part of a new voluntary industry scheme, which is designed to help government achieve its ammonia emissions reduction targets, without the need for full regulations or a possible urea ban.

See also: A round-up of enhanced urea fertilisers and additives

Originally, it was intended that the new scheme would come into effect from 1 April 2023, in the form of a new Red Tractor standard.

But a consortium including the NFU, the National Institute of Agricultural Botany (Niab) and the Association of Independent Crop Consultants (AICC) requested a delay to give the industry more time to prepare.

Since then, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), representing suppliers, has worked with farming unions and other stakeholders to develop a voluntary solution, which ensures farmers still have access to vital fertilisers while helping to meet air quality targets.

This means that, in England, both solid and liquid fertilisers with more than 1% urea, applied any time from 1 April through to 15 January each year, must use effective protection to reduce ammonia emissions.

The only exception is liquid fertiliser containing urea, which may still be applied if there is an agronomic justification, as provided by Facts-qualified farm personnel or advisers.

Jo Gilbertson, AIC’s head of fertiliser, said: “The industry’s collective agreement with the government to use inhibitors, and therefore avoid the very real threat of an outright ban on urea fertilisers, was hard won last year.

“It is imperative that the entire farming industry maintains its clear commitment to support this arrangement in the face of the ever-present threat of regulation.”

Red Tractor standard

The intention is that the new voluntary scheme will still involve a change to Red Tractor standards.

Technically, any changes to Red Tractor standards are currently on hold due to the ongoing review of the organisation’s governance by the NFU.

But Red Tractor cereals and oilseeds chairman Kit Papworth said this would be complete in the coming weeks and he was “100% certain” the urea inhibitor scheme would go ahead from 1 April.

Anyone found not to be complying will be required to undertake the Basis training module Reducing Ammonia Emissions.