A leading soil scientist is calling for changes in the way fertiliser companies label their products, after recent indications many products may be making false claims.

Dr Doug Edmeades, Managing Director of Ag-knowledge Nutrient Management, says the former Fertiliser Act was repealed in the 1990s and replaced by the Fertiliser Quality Council, which operates a voluntary quality assurance scheme, FertMark.

Dr. Edmeades says the voluntary scheme is not effective, as it allows companies to claim their fertiliser product is scientifically effective, even if it’s not.

Dr. Edmeades says a return to the 1990 Fertiliser ACT would better protect farmers and regulate the crowded fertiliser market.