National Fertiliser Database (NFD)
National Fertiliser Database (NFD)
On Thursday December 11th, 2025, Kerona Scientific held its 3rd Virtual Dublin FPR Symposium. This annual event provides the fertiliser industry with an opportunity to catch up with what’s happening from a regulatory viewpoint and keep up to date with the latest developments. Among the various speakers, Maria Destefanis from the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) presented an overview of the “National Fertiliser Database (NFD)” and an overview of how the NFD in Ireland is strengthening its approach to nutrient governance. Established by the DAFM and operational since July 2023, the NFD has quickly become a central component of the national framework for monitoring and regulating fertiliser activity. Maria highlighted that its core purpose is to deliver transparent, accurate tracking of fertiliser transactions across the entire supply chain, creating a realistic national picture of fertiliser usage. This visibility is essential for compliance with key environmental regulations, including the future Nitrates Derogation and Climate Action Plan targets, and for allowing data sharing with industry, farmers and other stakeholders.
Throughout the presentation, Maria stressed the importance of the system’s real-time auditable data. By capturing every movement from imports and exports to sales and transfers between Fertiliser Economic Operators (FEOs) and Fertiliser End Users (FEUs)—the NFD ensures that the flow of fertiliser products is fully traceable. This traceability strengthens regulatory oversight and helps both government and industry respond with greater confidence to emerging environmental and policy challenges. The legal obligations, such as mandatory registration, the requirement to report imports and exports within 72 hours, and the annual declaration of closing stocks, further guarantee the accuracy and reliability of the information recorded.
Looking to the future, Maria noted that the NFD is expected to broaden its scope significantly. By 2026, the system is planned to incorporate non-mineral fertilisers. As the database evolves, it will continue to underpin evidence-based policy, reinforce regulatory compliance, and guide the agricultural sector towards more sustainable nutrient-management practices.
If you missed the Dublin FPR Symposium, please contact Kerona if you wish to obtain a copy of the presentations. For assistance with the Regulation of fertilising products in the EU and UK the Kerona Regulatory team can be contacted at info@kerona.ie