Farmers have been told to brace for changes in the law which will require them to provide photo ID when purchasing ammonium nitrate (AN) fertilisers from October.
Tens of thousands of farming customers could be barred from placing orders of AN as of 1 October 2023 unless they can first submit photo ID to the retailer.
The Home Office has amended the Control of Poisons and Explosives Precursors Regulations 2023 to introduce new substances to the lists of regulated explosives precursors and poisons, including AN with a nitrogen content of 16% or more.
This applies to compounds, blends and mixtures such as NPK fertiliser containing ammonium nitrate above the nitrogen content threshold.
