Chemicals of interest" rule may affect somefarmers.

Chemicals of interest" rule may affect some farmers--A Department of Homeland Security rule that identifies locations of significant quantities of "chemicals of interest" may affect some large farming operations and agricultural chemical dealers, according to John Lory, University of Missouri Extension

agronomist. He said farmers should be aware of the rule, which is intended to manage terrorism risk associated with chemical facilities. The rule, which went into effect on Jan. 22, 2008, requires any operation that obtains more than one ton of ammonium nitrate to register with the government within 60 days of possession. Other chemicals of interest include propane (60,000 pounds in containers with more than 10,000 pounds), anhydrous ammonia (10,000 pounds), potassium nitrate (400 pounds) and sodium nitrate (400 pounds). Farmers who expect to exceed the possession limit for any of these chemicals are required to register at a government web site (www.dhs. gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_11695033 02924.shtm) and undergo a preliminary screening process using the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT), which is called Top Screen.