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If you live in Northern Ireland, the rules around importing fertiliser are slightly different. Pure ammonium nitrate fertilisers are not permitted in Northern Ireland and it is illegal to import and/or take possession of fertilisers which have more than 79% ammonium nitrate, unless licenced by the Northern Ireland Office. 

Most fertilisers in Northern Ireland are based on a form of ammonium nitrate called calcium ammonium nitrate. In addition to the safe storage and handling of fertiliser advice available from your supplier and from the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), and the HSENI ‘Basic Guidance on the Storage and Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Based Fertilisers’ leaflet, take note of information provided throughout this guidance.

Anyone using ammonium nitrate-based fertilisers is reminded of the NIHHS (Amendment) Regs (NI) 2003 and the responsibility to notify the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland if 150 tonnes or more of ammonium nitrate or calcium ammonium nitrate based fertilisers are being handled or stored, which contain over 15.75% nitrogen by weight. 

Read our security of fertiliser leaflet which can be printed for reference.

A local counter terrorism security adviser CTSA or Crime Prevention Officer CPO can inspect your property and advise on the best combination of physical security (for example, fencing) and appropriate procedures (for example, checking key lists).