Last week, George Fountas, Global Regulatory Director, and Blake Seutter, Regulatory and Logistics Specialist, attended the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials conference. AAPFCO is a voluntary organization made up of state regulatory officials responsible for enforcing laws related to the control, sale, distribution, and examination of mixed fertilizers and fertilizer materials. During AAPFCO meetings, state officials and industry representatives collaborate to promote consistency among individual state regulations for the benefit of the public, consumers, and the industry at large.
Key Takeaways
At the Winter Annual Meeting in New Orleans (February 2025), one major topic was the recent passage of California Senate Bill 1522, which established a framework for biostimulants in California. Participants examined how this framework might be adopted nationwide and identified two main areas of concern for states:
- States requiring a change to their legal framework.
- States needing to amend existing regulations.
Additional Topics
- Silicon as a Micronutrient: Discussions centered on potentially classifying silicon as a micronutrient, which would require its addition to the guaranteed analysis on product labels.
- Amino Acid Profiles: The group also explored the idea of including amino acid profiles on labels for products containing protein hydrolysates and enzymes. Both proposals are still under debate, and no official motion has been approved.
Focus on Protein Hydrolysates
Protein hydrolysates were highlighted during the Laboratory Services breakout session. Labeling requirements, derivation statements, and accurately identifying protein sources (animal, plant, or microbial) were all discussed. For example:
- Glycine and proline may indicate an animal-based protein source.
- Aspartic acid and glutamic acid may indicate a plant-based protein source.
Accurate classification can help registrants avoid label inaccuracies and prevent potential stop-sale actions.
Looking Ahead
AgriThority® looks forward to the next AAPFCO meeting, which will take place in Omaha, Nebraska, at the end of July or early August. We will continue to provide updates on evolving regulations and industry best practices.
When moving agricultural innovation across borders, the regulatory strategy and pathways must evolve early in the planning process. AgriThority® biological experts define requirements for dossier preparation, submission and tracking around the world. We also help manage the critical steps of permitting, logistics, importation and compliance.