Overview of project activities
The CFPF is a two-year project based on policy development, communications and research activities. Project activities are outlined in more detail below.
Policy Development
The Canadian Fertilizer Product Forum (CFPF) established Working Groups with broad cross-sectoral mandates to build the foundation for ongoing dialogue and discussion on relevant regulatory issues. The objective of each Working Group is to develop consensus-based recommendations to government on a broad range of regulatory issues. Findings and recommendations from each Working Group are sent for review to the CFPF Executive Committee, and included in the project’s final reports.
The following Working Groups have been formed:
- Regulatory Efficiency Working Group
- Marketplace Monitoring Working Group
- New Products Working Group
- Communications and Operating Environment Working Group
- Bio-solids Working Group
For more information on the Working Groups please click here.
Communications with stakeholders
Communications activities include:
- Website
- 2 conferences
- Publications on the role and benefits of fertilizers and supplements, how the current regulatory system ensures the safety and efficacy of products, and research report findings
- media relations (including news releases, backgrounders and Q & As)
Situation analysis report
Report includes:
- review of Canadian fertilizer and supplement market, regulatory processes and policies, and potential for consensus-based recommendations
- development of a best practices consultation and communications plan based on a brief review of the National Forum on Seed and other organizations
- comparison of regulatory processes in other significant jurisdictions (US, EU, UK, Australia)
Strategic plan
The Strategic Plan includes development of CFPF’s vision, strategies, action plan and sustainability.
Opinion research
The market research study will involve a telephone survey of 400 field crop growers in both Western Canada (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba) and Eastern Canada (Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick and PEI).
Study content and scope:
- Growers’ awareness of various fertilizer products
- Current use of various types of fertilizer
- Growers’ perceptions, as well as future needs with respect to fertilizers, micronutrients, inoculants, wetting agents, slow release fertilizers and compost biosolids
Four research reports
Report on product registration
- report includes: 1) review of the Guidebook for Registration to increase speed of market entry of new products, and 2) identification and analysis of existing barriers to efficacy and innovation
Report on emerging market and product development opportunities
- report includes: 1) identification of emerging domestic and international market opportunities for the fertilizer and supplement industries, and 2) analysis of growth opportunities and emerging developments such as nanotechnology, and products including slow release fertilizers, inhibitors and inoculants
Report on industry standards
- report includes a review of new standards on fertilizer quality, including its utility, application and impact on the Canadian fertilizer industry
Report on marketplace monitoring
- report includes recommendations on existing industry standards for quality assurance control, and mechanisms for an industry-led body to certify quality in the marketplace
