Option 4 Urea Rules Are Now in Effect – What Farmers Must Know
FromOption 4 is the industry approach to reducing ammonia emissions from urea fertilisers, supported by Defra and implemented through Red Tractor assurance standards from 1 April 2024. For growers in England, understanding application dates, protection requirements and the liquid fertiliser exception is an important part of planning nitrogen use.
When can unprotected urea be applied?
Under the Red Tractor standard, unprotected solid and liquid fertilisers containing urea can be applied in England between 15 January and 31 March. Protected products must be used within their specified dates, with liquid products receiving the prescribed inhibitor rate. Other applicable fertiliser and environmental requirements still apply.
What is the exception for liquid fertiliser?
Unprotected liquid fertiliser containing urea may be applied from 1 April until the last autumn application where FACTS-qualified farm personnel provide agronomic justification, or crop-specific advice from a FACTS-qualified adviser has been provided and followed.
What records should growers keep?
Keep application records and, when relying on agronomic justification, the recommendation sheet and the adviser’s name and FACTS professional register number. Check the current standard with your adviser when planning applications.
Choosing a protected liquid nitrogen option
For product details and a comparison of production-incorporated protection and on-farm NBPT, explore Nitrasol’s AdvaNShield nitrogen inhibitor fertilisers.
