Tag: public policy

TFI’s Rosenbusch Testifies to Congress on Critical Nature of Phosphate, Potash

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) president and CEO Corey Rosenbusch today provided testimony in support of phosphate and potash, two of the three macronutrients essential to agricultural productivity, to the House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. The hearing focused on several bills related to critical minerals including the bipartisan H.R. 8450, the Phosphate and Potash Protection Act of 2024, introduced by Representatives Cammack and Slotkin. If enacted, the legislation would direct the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct an immediate review to determine the need for adding phosphate and potash to the Critical Minerals list.  

“Half of all global crop yields can be attributed to fertilizer, but as the world population continues to grow it is imperative that the sustainable production and use of fertilizers continues to provide the ability of growing more food without needing more land on which to grow it,” Rosenbusch testified. “But the majority of phosphate and potash resources are concentrated in only a few countries, leaving them vulnerable to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical instability. The events of the past few years have shown us that food security is national security and now is the time to protect our nation by including phosphate and potash on the USGS Critical Minerals list.”

Only 14 countries in the world produce potash, with Belarus and Russia comprising nearly 40% of global production. While the U.S. produces potash domestically, it imports roughly 95% of its needs. Regarding phosphate, 11 countries produce significant amounts with China accounting for over 40% of global production.

“Without these two minerals, modern agricultural systems would crumble and the ability to feed our growing population would be nearly impossible,” continued Rosenbusch. “It is vital that we take proactive steps to secure our own agricultural future by recognizing the role these minerals play in putting food on our tables.”

The USGS defines a critical mineral as essential to the economic or national security of the United States, susceptible to supply chain disruptions, and having significant consequences for the economy or national security if absent. “We are here today to ensure this committee understands that phosphate and potash meet all three of those criteria and should, without a doubt, be included on the USGS list of critical minerals,” Rosenbusch concluded.

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Statement on Bipartisan House Farm Bill Release

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch today released the below statement in response to the release of 2024 Farm Bill text from House Committee on Agriculture Chairmen Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15).

“TFI applauds the progress being made to introduce and pass a Farm Bill in 2024. The text released today by Ag Chairman GT Thompson contains key priorities for the industry that support efforts to encourage greater adoption of nutrient stewardship and conservation practices by growers across the country. These practices ensure our dinner tables remain full while minimizing impacts to our shared environment.

“At a time when true bipartisanship is increasingly rare, we thank both Chairman GT Thompson, Ranking Member David Scott, and their staffs for working together on the draft Farm Bill. We look forward to working with Congress to see a Farm Bill that addresses current challenges with updated solutions pass through both chambers on its way to President Biden’s desk for signature.”

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The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) is the leading voice of the nation’s fertilizer industry. Tracing its roots back to 1883, TFI’s membership includes fertilizer producers, wholesalers, retailers and trading firms. TFI’s full-time staff, based in Washington, D.C., serves its members through legislative, educational, technical, economic information and public communication programs. Find more information about TFI online at TFI.org and follow us on Twitter at @Fertilizer_Inst. Learn more about TFI’s nutrient stewardship initiatives at nutrientstewardship.org and on Twitter at @4rnutrients.

TFI Priorities Included in Farm Bill Framework, Praises Progress

Arlington, VA – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today praised Farm Bill frameworks released by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

“TFI is pleased to see so many of the industry’s priorities around conservation and nutrient stewardship included in the framework shared by Chairwoman Stabenow and Chairman Thompson,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “Nutrient stewardship is a cornerstone of the industry and we spend significant time encouraging grower adoption of these practices. The framework laid out yesterday will help that a great deal.”

Two specific priorities mentioned by Rosenbusch include recognizing Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) as Technical Service Providers (TSPs) permitted to write and approve nutrient stewardship plans, and a pathway for enhanced efficiency fertilizers to be eligible for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“We know we still have a long way to go until we have a passed Farm Bill, but this framework is a big step forward,” Rosenbusch concluded. “We look forward to working with Congress on ensuring programs that help increase grower adoption of practices that keep fertilizer on fields and food on our tables remain included in the Farm Bill, as well as further initiatives aimed at strengthening the domestic fertilizer supply to safeguard our nation’s food security.”

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Whither the Farm Bill?  Choose Your Adventure

House of Representatives Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) said this week that his committee will complete its work on the Farm Bill reauthorization effort to craft a new multi-year law addressing USDA programs and other things before Memorial Day.  Meanwhile, this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) wrote a Dear Colleague letter to senators that omits the Farm Bill entirely from a laundry list of items to address in the remainder of the year.  You will note the partisan tone of Schumer’s letter that is sure not to impress Republicans — which is perfectly fine with Schumer.  Nevertheless, it does lay out a broad agenda of to-do items, notably including funding Ukraine defense efforts.  Thompson is a seasoned legislator who is well-respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, and he claims to have a solution that will break an impasse in the ongoing negotiations about nutrition programs.  Whether he will succeed on his timeline remains to be seen.  While the House and Senate each conduct business independently of each other, it is not ideal to do a bill that foreseeably cannot advance in the other chamber for an extended period of time.  Much more preferable is to be able to create and rely upon momentum to move a bill through both chambers and then to the president’s desk for signing into law. 

Majority Leader Schumer dear colleagueDownload

Draft Risk Evaluation for Formaldehyde

On March 15, 2024, EPA released the draft risk evaluation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for formaldehyde for public comment and peer review. The EPA preliminarily determined that formaldehyde poses an unreasonable risk in 3 conditions of use (COU) related to fertilizer. TFI has developed a one-pager on formaldehyde. Please reach out to Reagan with any questions or to get involved in TFI’s response to this evaluation.