Cadmium Monitoring in New Zealand’s Phosphatic Fertilisers

New Zealand’s fertiliser industry is committed to responsible cadmium management, ensuring compliance with voluntary standards to protect soil health and support sustainable farming. The Fertiliser Quality Council independently audits cadmium levels in Fertmark-registered phosphate products. The Fertmark Auditor reports on cadmium levels every six months.

Latest Cadmium Monitoring Report (June – December 2024)

  • Average cadmium level: 192 mg Cd/kg P (well below the voluntary limit of 280 mg Cd/kg P).
  • Previous reporting periods: 175 mg Cd/kg P and 193 mg Cd/kg P, showing consistent compliance.
  • Total samples tested: 208 (individual and weekly dispatch composites).
  • Zero samples exceeded the voluntary limit.
  • Independent validation through the Fertmark programme.

Click here to read the full report.

What is Cadmium?

Cadmium is a widespread, naturally occurring element found in soils, rocks, plants, and animals. While not essential for life, high concentrations can be toxic. Cadmium is absorbed by plant roots and transported within the plant. In grazing farm systems, cadmium can be taken up by pasture, forage crops, or supplementary feeds, providing a pathway for animal intake.

New Zealand’s cadmium management strategy sets out to ensure that cadmium in rural production poses minimal risks to health, trade, land use flexibility and the environment over the next 100 years. Phosphate fertiliser is the primary source of cadmium accumulation in agricultural soils, and the fertiliser industry has enacted a voluntary limit on the levels of cadmium in fertilisers. The voluntary limit is set a 280 mg Cd/kg P. Between 2003 and 2020, the average cadmium concentration in phosphate fertiliser was 177 mg Cd/kg P.

 

 

How Cadmium Levels Are Managed

  • Sourcing Low-Cadmium Phosphate Rock: Ensures compliance with cadmium limits.
  • Industry Participation: Includes two major importers and three local manufacturers, covering over 99% of New Zealand’s phosphatic fertiliser market.
  • Regular Testing & Independent Validation:
    • Weekly & individual sample testing.
    • Audited laboratory proficiency.
    • Independent monitoring through the Fertmark programme.
 

Stay Informed! Future monitoring reports will be published regularly to ensure ongoing transparency and accountability.

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