UAE’s Ministry of Environment and Water has issued a decree covering the production, import and circulation of fertilisers and soil conditioner, a report said.

The Ministerial Decision from Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, also aims to facilitate and reinforce the country’s position in the agricultural sector leadership and raise the standards of procedures for importing, producing and distributing fertilisers and soil conditioners according to international standards, according to the state news agency WAM.

The decision states that: "It is allowed only to import, produce, use and trade in fertilisers and agricultural soil conditioners that are registered at the Ministry and match the specifications and standards set in this decision."

It also states that required licenses must be obtained from the Ministry along with the relevant government authorities, and it identifies standards and technical specifications including health safety and environmental measures to be followed for the use, produce, handling and storage of fertilisers and soil conditioners to ensure that farmers achieve the best returns and to mitigate any negative or harmful impact on the environment.

The decree also stipulates that the fertiliser companies are responsible for disposing of the waste products of fertilisers and soil conditioners according to the Environmental Federal Law No. 24 for 1999 and according to the instructions defined by the local authorities.

The fertiliser companies must keep records showing the trade of fertilisers, and in the meantime the Ministry has the right to cancel the registration of any kind of fertiliser registration if it has been registered using incorrect information, or if its usage can lead to serious health issues, or due to any impact on environment or animals, or if its registration is cancelled in the country of origin, or if it is banned by international organisations for public health reasons or any other reasons, the report said, citing the decree.