The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) recently released its 2023–2024 Public Policy Priorities for working with the Biden administration, regulatory agencies and Congress.
TFI’s priorities are broken down into seven key areas:
- Economic growth and competitiveness
- Transportation and infrastructure
- Environment
- Safety and security
- Farm bill reauthorization
- Permitting and registration
- Innovation
“Fertilizer is a globally traded commodity and heavily influenced by geopolitical events,” said TFI President and Chief Executive Officer Corey Rosenbusch. “Over the past two years, we have seen major market disruptions that make clear the need to strengthen domestic production.”
According to Rosenbusch, the industry needs significant changes in permitting policy to ensure producers have access to critical inputs and affordable energy.
“The farm bill for us is all about conservation and continuing to push for science-backed 4R Nutrient Stewardship adoption by growers and removing the existing barriers to grower adoption,” Rosenbusch said. “Policies we want to see included are recognizing Certified Crop Advisors as Technical Service Providers, which will enable greater cost-share opportunities for growers working with agricultural retailers. Additionally, we’re pushing for financial incentives to growers through use of the Conservation Service Model to utilize conservation and environmental best practices.”
“Transportation and infrastructure are always big issues for us,” Rosenbusch added. “Fertilizer needs to be delivered to growers exactly when and where they need it. There is not much room for error or delay. Supply-chain disruptions have hit all industries hard, but fertilizer delays can lead to lower crop yields and less food. Fertilizer moves year-round via railways, highways, waterways and pipelines, and we need a safe and reliable infrastructure network. Food security is national security, and fertilizer availability is paramount to keeping us all fed.”
“Innovation and 4R research are two areas where TFI has hit the ground running, with the Plant Biostimulant Act and the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act, both introduced in each chamber of Congress in March,” TFI stated.
“Biostimulants are a relatively new innovation in agriculture,” Rosenbusch explained. “There is great potential in these products, but as with any new technology there are hurdles.”
The ACE Agriculture Act will help farmers by focusing U.S. Department of Agriculture research on critical areas such as soil health and increasing crop yields.
Source: The Fertilizer Institute
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