Senator Marshall Drops Bill to Cut Fertilizer Costs for American Farmers

Washington - On Tuesday,U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) introduced the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, legislation to lower the cost of fertilizer for American farmers. The bill would eliminate tariffs and countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco, delivering direct relief to American farmers crushed by rising input costs.

"Kansas farmers are getting hit by a fertilizer market that's working against them," said Senator Marshall. "Phosphate is a critical nutrient for crop production, and right now farmers are paying prices that threaten their bottom line. This bill removes duties that are driving up costs for farmers, and puts money back in the hands of the people feeding this country."

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

"During my annual 99 county meetings, I hear from family farmers struggling with high input costs impacting their bottom lines. The Biden phosphate duties are making things worse, boxing out access to an important market for this essential input. By eliminating the Biden administration's misguided duties, our bill will help provide relief to farmers and lower the cost of production," Senator Grassley said.

"Mississippi farmers depend on affordable fertilizer to stay competitive. With input costs continuing to strain farmers bottom line, Congress must act. The Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act delivers targeted, practical relief at the farm gate, and Congress should act soon to deliver relief at a time when its badly needed. American producers have been asking for solutions, and this commonsense legislation will provide greater certainty for our farmers," said Senator Hyde-Smith.

"There is no substitute for the invaluable work our farmers do to feed and fuel the world," said Senator Ernst. "From securing the addition of phosphate and potash to the U.S. Critical Minerals List to pushing for research on the fertilizer market, I've consistently put Iowa farmers first. By joining Senator Marshall's Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, I'm proud to once again stand up for our agriculture community to drive down fertilizer costs and make life more affordable for both farmers and consumers."

The legislation would:

• Eliminate tariffs on phosphate fertilizer and related products from Morocco
• End the April 7, 2021, countervailing duty order on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco
• Restore access to competitively priced phosphate fertilizer for U.S. producers

Background:

• Senator Marshall introduced the Homegrown Fertilizer Act to expand American production and storage capacity of fertilizer.
• Senator Marshall has led efforts since arriving in the Senate to reduce input costs around fertilizer and designate phosphate and potash as critical minerals.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

This legislation is supported by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cotton Council, USA Rice, Sorghum Growers, and the National Association of Wheat Growers.

"Soybean farmers are facing sharply higher fertilizer costs that put real pressure on their bottom line. Senator Marshall's bill is an important step toward lowering those costs by exempting Moroccan phosphate from import duties, a critical input for crop production. We thank Senator Marshall for his leadership and continued commitment to supporting American farmers and strengthening the farm economy," said Stephen Censky, ASA CEO.

"The National Cotton Council applauds Senator Marshall for introducing the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, which would expand access to essential fertilizer and help relieve the financial pressures facing producers across the Cotton Belt. Reducing these expenses allows our farmers to make more confident planting decisions and manage risk more effectively, helping to sustain rural communities," said Gary Adams, President & CEO of National Cotton Council.

"Like many crops, phosphate fertilizer is a key nutrient in the production of rice, and it is essential that Congress continue to work creatively and collaboratively to strengthen the global supply chain and domestic production, as well as work to reduce the costs paid by farmers by removing the CVD's on Moroccan phosphate,"said Jake Westlin, USA Rice vice president of government affairs. "Eliminating these duties would help restore balance to fertilizer markets by providing immediate relief to U.S. rice farmers facing elevated input costs and a lack of availability."

"America's sorghum producers rely on affordable and reliable access to key inputs like phosphate fertilizer to stay competitive. Policies that restrict supply or drive up costs ultimately hit farmers at the bottom line and ripple through the entire food and fuel system. We appreciate Senator Marshall's leadership to address these challenges and support efforts that help ensure producers have access to the inputs they need to feed, fuel, and supply the world," said Eric Washington, Sorghum Growers.

"NAWG appreciates Senator Marshall's leadership on legislation to remove countervailing duties on Moroccan phosphate fertilizer. Wheat growers have borne nearly $1 billion in additional costs from these duties, and this bill would help restore access to a critical input and provide needed relief to farmers." Sam Kieffer, NAWG CEO.

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