News
Analytical labs to test imported and local fertiliser
In a major step towards regulating imported fertiliser and locally manufactured organic fertiliser products, the Agriculture Ministry has called for proposals to select locally accredited analytical laboratories to be declared as fertiliser reference laboratories, a senior official from the Ministry said.
The move came in the wake of the recent reversal of the ban on chemical fertiliser imports following islandwide farmer protests.
Agriculture Ministry Secretary Udith Jayasinghe told the Sunday Times the new initiative was aimed at regulating fertiliser imports and ensuring the quality of locally manufactured fertiliser in keeping with international laboratory practices.
The new initiative came amidst complaints from farmers who bought low-quality organic fertiliser and homemade pesticides mixed with adulterated contents in the black market at exorbitant prices following the Government imposed a ban on the import of chemical fertilisers.
“We observed that there were so many discrepancies and questions when it comes to the quality of the fertiliser imported into the country in recent past. Our main focus is to ensure that hazardous substance mixed fertilisers is not allowed into the country. The move will also enable the country to export locally manufactured quality fertiliser,” the Secretary said.
He said the Eppawala Phosphate which is widely used by farmers could be exported with the clearance from accredited laboratories.
Any accredited analytical laboratory approved by the International Lab Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC MRA) or the Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) are eligible to apply for the accreditation from the National Fertiliser Secretariat which comes under the Ministry of Agriculture.
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