Trust

The global increase in food demand, compounded by climate change and geopolitical instability, are affecting food security. The reliance on fossil-based mineral fertilizers, especially phosphorus (P), is precarious, with reserves potentially depleting in 50-100 years and located in unstable regions, risking supply chains. The UK faces an urgent threat due to P scarcity and lack of local reserves, compounded by P runoff from imported feed and manure misuse, harming aquatic ecosystems such as the Wye Valley.

Recycling nutrients from waste streams like manure to create Recycled Precision Fertilisers (RPFs) offers economic and environmental benefits. However, adoption is hindered by barriers such as lack of integrated knowledge and technology, absence of practical tools and management plans trusted by farmers, insufficient analysis of RPFs' environmental and safety impacts, and inadequate regulatory frameworks, leading to low market uptake.

The TRUST initiative seeks to overcome these obstacles by developing evidence-based practices to improve the value of RPFs. Focusing on nutrient use efficiency, crop productivity, and environmental benefits, TRUST aims to boost RPF acceptability and demand, supporting sustainable agriculture and bolstering food security in the UK.