Global Forum on Food Security and Nutrition (FSN Forum)

In terms of a global guideline for nutrient management, it seesm that the comments below seem to vary from a code that will provide guidance to farmers or as a broader policy framework for governance. The former would seem adequately covered in the 4R nutrient stewardship principles which have wide acceptance in industry and with growers. These principles have been applied in a wide range of situations and cover the important aspects of nutrient management for a sustainable future. As such they should be strongly referenced and applied by advisors and growers - it is the principle of management espoused by 4R and supported by science that is critical not the detail for particular situations that seems to cloud the direction of this code.

It would be disappointing scientifically as well as challenging soil health, food security and the environment if some of the opinions in the comments section became embedded in an important code. Fertilizers feed half of the global population and directly address soil health through replacing nutrient that are moved along the food chain. This is such a complex and significant issue that simple or simplistic solutions will not address the challeneges we face. Because the problem is multi-dimensional, the solutions will also be manifold and will have particular applications in particular situations - but I propose that these would fit well into the 4R framework meaning effective communication to stakeholders.

The document provided seems to have a lot of repetition in it which may, or may not be useful in the way it is interpreted. There also seems to be a need for a much wider stakeholder consultation than one month and the 50 contributions noted below.