A long running legal row over fertiliser patents between the industry’s two biggest co-ops has finally finished.

Ravensdown fertiliser co-operative has been trying to patent its Eco – N nitrification inhibitor since 2002, which is designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and increase efficiency of production from pasture.

Balance Agri nutrients has been fighting the patent since 2009, claiming it isn’t an invention and holds no new science.

The High Court upheld the patent application though, in favour of Ravensdown, following the lead of Argentina, Australia and the US where patents for the science exist already.