Fertilizer Shortages Loom as CF Workers Prepare for Strike Action
A potential strike by factory employees at CF Fertilisers UK could trigger a temporary shortage of ammonium nitrate products across the UK.
Employees of Hargreaves Industrial Services, stationed at the CF Fertilisers facility in Billingham, County Durham, have announced their intent to strike due to an ongoing pay dispute.
The strike is scheduled to take place from September 12 to September 20, and again between September 28 and October 6, likely resulting in “significant disruption” to operations and the supply of fertilisers at the site.
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Sharon Graham, general secretary of the Unite workers’ union, stated: “Both Hargreaves and CF Fertilisers are more than capable of offering fair wages to these employees. Our members at Billingham will have the full support of Unite throughout the strikes.”
Neil Howells, regional officer for Unite, emphasized that while the potential for avoiding industrial action still exists, it hinges on the formulation of an acceptable pay proposal for the workers.
In July of the previous year, CF Fertilisers, a subsidiary of CF Industries, revealed plans to permanently shut down its ammonia plant at the Billingham site.
Despite this, the company continues to manufacture ammonium nitrate fertiliser and nitric acid using imported ammonia.
Farmers Weekly reached out to both CF Fertilisers UK and CF Industries for a comment, but has not yet received a response.
John Fuller, chairman of fertiliser manufacturer and importer Brineflow, remarked: “This situation is somewhat inconsequential and illustrates how market dominance has shifted away from CF, a once-leading entity. Changes in the UK energy landscape, particularly the dependence on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have accelerated this long-term transition toward imported ammonium nitrate, urea, and particularly liquid fertilisers, which are now essential to the UK food supply.”
Maria Sanchez completed her Bachelor’s degree in Plant Sciences from the University of California, Davis, in the USA. Her studies focused on plant genetics and biotechnology, with an emphasis on developing disease-resistant crop varieties. Maria has contributed to several research projects aimed at improving crop resilience to climate change and is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Plant Breeding.