European Union organic fertilizer product standards, management mechanisms, and its enlightenment

The use of organic fertilizers is a beneficial measure for absorbing livestock manure, reducing chemical input, and improving soil health. European Union (EU) countries divide organic fertilizers into two types of mineral and non-mineral fertilizers, and solids and liquids in form. The organic fertilizer standards include the effective nutrients contents and the hazardous substances limits. Information ledgers, an obligation to disclose, and traceability has helped the EU to achieve strict market supervision and avoid environmental risks caused by excessive fertilizer application through the delineation of polluted areas. Such practices represent important references for China to vigorously promote the green development of agriculture. This study compared the standards of organic fertilizer products in China with the standards of organic fertilizer products from the EU and presents five recommendations. First, nitrate pollution areas should be delineated as soon as possible. Second, the product standards should be refined for the classification and designation of organic fertilizers. Third, the responsibilities of all parties should be considered, especially for the strict control of source addition and production specifications. Fourth, planting and breeding combinations should be vigorously promoted; we need to combine the promotion of organic fertilizer with fertilizer decrement and better resource utilization for livestock and poultry manure. Finally, we need broader publicity for organic fertilizer use. Therefore, it is recommended that China start delineating nitrate pollution areas as soon as possible, formulating organic fertilizer standards, strengthening supervision, and realizing the green development of combining planting and breeding.