Australia's National Cadmium Mimimisation Strategy

Abstract

Cadmium has been recognised in Australia as an insidious problem facing clean agricultural production systems, threatening free trade in international food commodities. Cadmium is added inadvertently to soils in phosphatic fertilizers, livestock manures, sewage biosolids and recycled organic materials. Atmospheric inputs of Cd to soils appear to be minimal in Australia. The propensity of some Australian soils to allow crops to accumulate Cd to levels above or close to maximum permitted concentrations has required that a strategic approach to Cd management be undertaken. The federal Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management established in July 2000 a National Cadmium Minimisation Strategy, with the aim to minimise additions of Cd to agricultural soils, and to reduce accumulation of Cd by food crops. The strategy is currently: harmonising State regulations and standards controlling Cd in manufactured fertilizers; developing best management practices for growers to minimise Cd accumulation in crops; establishing national quality assurance programs for analysis of Cd in crops and foods; and providing input to international standards for Cd concentrations in traded food commodities through Codex.