Is an International Code of Conduct for the Use and Management of Fertilizers beneficial and useful? To whom, and why?
Yes, it could be of interest for all stakeholders involved in the fertilizer value channel. The document is well structured and focused on the general principles of the use and rational management of fertilizers.
Does this Fertilizer Code of Conduct address all aspects necessary to ensure the responsible use of fertilizers, optimizing benefits while minimizing risks?
Even though it is a good approximation and covers most of the aspects involved in the efficient management and use of fertilizers, it requires clarifying aspects related to its applicability:
- It presents little information regarding "how to do" or implement general recommendations and guidelines, especially those pertaining to governments. I think that this could be solved by illustrating each topic with successful examples taken from member countries.
- The monitoring issue is very weak. The issue must be focused on a baseline or diagnosis of the initial situation of each country, which determines limitations and bottlenecks that lead to establish an action plan and priorities, to then be able to measure progress in each of the aspects considered.
Are there any topics or subject matter missing from this Fertilizer Code of Conduct? If so, what are they?
This aspect was covered in the previous question.
Are there redundancies or unnecessary items or subjects within this Code of Conduct? If so, what are they?
I think an effort could be made to integrate the point 3 Soil Fertility and Nutrition of the Plants, with the point 4 Use and Management of Fertilizers. Both are closely related.
Mr. Alejandro Silva