The Department of Agriculture this week named members to a newly created Fertilizer Advisory Committee to help share information, research, technology and regulation of fertilizer. The group includes representatives from compost and organic fertilizer industry.

The committee plans to address the following key issues:

· Quality Control Initiatives - Assuring proper production, processing and testing of fertilizers and their components through newly applied methods based on research and study;

· Byproduct Fertilizers - Discussing and reviewing new byproduct fertilizers to ensure safe productive use of the materials;

· New Proposed Regulation - Anticipating industry regulation and working with elected officials to affect positive change;

· Program Improvements - Creating a web-based business and information system for fertilizer producers, distributors and consumers; and

· Counter-terrorism – Devising protection systems to combat the potential illegal acquisition and misuse of anhydrous ammonia and ammonium nitrate that may be obtained from Pennsylvania processing facilities and distribution centers.

The committee consists of representatives of production agriculture, agricultural research, turf maintenance, manufacturing and nutrient management, and include representatives from Ag Recycle, Inc. which produces organic soil supplements, the State Conservation Commission that deals with nutrient management issues, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information about the Fertilizer Advisory Committee, contact John Breitsman at 717-772-5215, or jbreitsman@state.pa.us .

3/3/2006