Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

Re: Online consultation for developing the Code of Conduct for the Management of Fertilizers

Dear Participants,

I would like to thank all of you once again for your contributions to this discussion and for your valuable feedback that will enable us to develop a Code of Conduct for the Management of Fertilizers (CoCoFe). In the last week, we have received 14 contributions and the commentary below intents to further fuel the discussion.

For any newcomers, please look at our last contribution for the link of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management in order to have a better idea of the formatting and content of the CoCoFe.

The new comments seem to be related to the comments we have received since the beginning of the discussion and include the change in formulation and phrasing of the objectives, inclusion of regional specificities, changes in the scope and target audience of the CoCoFe, and the inclusion of all relevant inputs and not only synthetic fertilizers. Please know that we are taking all of your comments into consideration.

New and interesting topics have also been received such as:

  • The need of having a way to measure or quantify the progress of distribution and adoption of the CoCoFe.
  • The Inclusion of various types of wastes (agricultural waste, manure, industrial waste etc.).
  • The protection and promotion of endogenous knowledge of fertilizer production at the local level such as composting.
  • The acknowledgment of lack of technical knowledge on how to deal with fertilizers and agricultural waste in some areas/ regions.

With these comments in mind, I would like to add that the CoCoFe will attempt to tackle some of the points mentioned above such as bio-waste storage and recycling, and farmer technical assistance.

We would also like to invite you to address the following points:

What would be a good way to measure or quantify the progress of distribution and adoption of the CoCoFe?

Keeping in mind that the CoCoFe will serve as a guiding framework for all Member States, what should be included in order for the code of conduct to help address different stakeholders?  

We are looking forward to further discussions as we jointly explore how we might strengthen the CoCoFe.