Overview: a year of scrutiny for fertilisers and animal feed
Recent reporting from the department highlights a focused effort to ensure fertilisers and animal feeds meet strict EU and national standards. Testing programs, including high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), are used to verify the content of urease inhibitors in protected urea-based fertilisers and to confirm compliance with labelling and minimum nutrient requirements. The results so far in 2025 reveal a disciplined approach to monitoring, with follow-up actions taken where tests indicate deviations from permitted tolerances.
Protected urea fertilisers: NBPT and NPPT under close watch
Protected urea fertilisers are routinely tested to measure the content of urease inhibitors N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric acid triamide (NBPT) and N-(n-propyl)thiophosphoric acid triamide (NPPT). This is achieved through high-performance liquid chromatography, a precise analytical method that quantifies these inhibitors and helps ensure the formulation performs as intended in the field.
In 2025, a total of 23 protected urea samples have been tested. Of these, one sample—representing 4.3% of the tested stock—was provisionally found to be out of tolerance and is currently under investigation. While a single instance may seem small, it triggers a formal review to determine the cause, assess potential risks, and decide on any corrective actions required by the supplier. Such findings underscore the department’s commitment to maintaining product integrity across the fertiliser supply chain.
Labelling and minimum nutrient compliance: a broad sweep
Beyond the chemical composition of fertilisers, the department also takes samples from products placed on the market to verify compliance with Irish and EU labelling laws and minimum nutrient requirements. Testing targets a range of parameters mandated by legislation, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. The objective is to protect farmers and consumers by ensuring products are accurately described, safe to use, and deliver the advertised nutrient content.
These sampling activities form part of an ongoing monitoring framework. By inspecting products at multiple points in the supply chain—from import to farm use—the department seeks to catch and correct deviations promptly, thereby preventing potential risks associated with mislabeling or under/over-reporting nutrient levels.
Animal feed quality: safeguarding safety and traceability
The 2025 programme also extends to feed quality, where the focus is on feeding stuffs to safeguard food safety, animal health, and the environment. The minister reported that as of 2025, the department had taken 162 fertiliser samples for related scrutiny, with three proving out of tolerance and under investigation.
Feed legislation is designed to ensure feeds do not pose risks during the food chain, meet minimum standards, are accurately labelled, and are fully traceable. Inspections and sampling are conducted at every stage of the feed chain, including importation, storage, manufacture, transport, and farm use. This comprehensive approach helps manage potential hazards and maintain confidence in both feed quality and animal health.
Testing scale: a snapshot of activity and follow-up
In 2025, the department reported taking 1,031 samples to verify compliance with relevant feed legislation. Across roughly 10,000 individual tests conducted on these samples—covering components such as protein, ash content, and various contaminants—50 tests were found to be out of tolerance. Each instance prompted proactive follow-up with the responsible companies to investigate the cause, determine corrective measures, and prevent recurrence. The small proportion of out-of-tolerance results reflects a robust enforcement regime designed to protect the integrity of both fertilisers and feeding stuffs.
Why these findings matter to stakeholders
For farmers, accurate fertiliser composition and reliable labelling translate to predictable crop performance and cost efficiency. For manufacturers and retailers, the findings reinforce the need for rigorous quality control and transparent documentation. Regulators emphasize that even a handful of out-of-tolerance results can have broader implications for safety, environmental stewardship, and market confidence. The department’s actions—from identifying root causes to enforcing corrective measures—are aimed at maintaining high standards across agriculture and animal feed sectors.
Looking ahead: maintaining vigilance
As 2025 unfolds, the department’s emphasis on detailed chemical analysis, label accuracy, and full traceability suggests that rigorous surveillance will continue. With ongoing investigations into out-of-tolerance samples and regular sampling across the supply chain, stakeholders can expect continued transparency around testing results, corrective actions, and compliance measures that help sustain safe, effective agricultural inputs.
