NFU urges members to take terrorist threat seriously

The NFU Council heard yesterday from Graham Smith, of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO). Mr Smith was invited to speak to the NFU in order to update it on the situation regarding the use of ammonium nitrate as an explosive.

Ammonium nitrate, used by farmers as a fertiliser, is the explosive favoured by many terrorists because of its availability, ease of use and effectiveness. However, recent efforts by NaCTSO have resulted in producers and users of ammonium nitrate fertiliser becoming increasingly aware of the threat and the need to restrict sales to bone fide customers. Mr Smith encouraged all the members of the Council to let their regions know about the importance of farmers keeping stores of fertiliser secure.

Alex Dinsdale, advisor on this issue to the NFU said: “Farmers have been receiving information from the NFU on this subject and most of them would now refuse to sell on any of their own fertiliser, especially in the current climate of heightened security. However, we will be encouraging our members to be vigilant about the storage of fertilizer because of the very real threat of theft. As Mr Smith said, storing ammonium nitrate in a visible and easily accessible area could result in a visit from a terrorist, or a member of special branch. Both of which farmers should be at pains to avoid. The NFU will continue to work closely with NaCTSO to ensure that practical advice is available to farmers so that straightforward measures can be taken to reduce the likelihood of fertiliser falling into the wrong hands.”