The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) on March 10 released a statement outlining its public policy priorities for 2021 as it works with the Biden Administration and a closely divided 117thCongress. TFI’s priorities are broken down into six areas: safety and security; energy and economic growth; environment; innovation; trade; and transportation and infrastructure.
“Our number one goal is to ensure the fertilizer industry is able to continue feeding the world sustainably within a legislative and regulatory environment that allows for industry growth and innovation,” said TFI President and CEO Corey Rosenbusch. “The policy priorities identified and approved by our members illustrate the industry’s focus on the safety and security of employees and the communities in which they operate, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and the efficient use of energy.”
On environmental policy, TFI highlighted continued efforts to encourage farmers to use sustainable fertilizer practices through adoption of the 4Rs. TFI said ag retailers are also well-positioned to assist farmers interested in participating in voluntary, market-based carbon markets that incentivize the implementation of fertilizer best management practices proven to help sequester carbon in the soil.
“The fertilizer industry is essential to our modern way of life, and our members have made minimizing the environmental impact of crop nutrients a key pillar of how they operate,” Rosenbusch said. “We want to see that reflected in public policy. It is absolutely critical that any climate change policies or initiatives must not impact our ability to provide farmers with the crop nutrients they need.”
On the issue of greenhouse gas emissions, TFI said U.S. production of nitrogen fertilizers is both energy intensive and trade exposed. “We need to make sure that policies are not put into place that send production to areas of the world that do not use more efficient production methods and lack the same type of environmental protections we have in the U.S.,” Rosenbusch said. “Greenhouse gas emissions are a global issue, and discouraging efficient production in the U.S. in favor of a dirtier process overseas actually harms the environment more than it helps.”
On the issues of trade, TFI said it supported the USMCA and remains hopeful that the Biden administration will seek to update other existing trade agreements and create new ones that promote open markets and fair competition.
On infrastructure, TFI said fertilizer distribution bottlenecks due to road and bridge closures or delays, as well as crumbling locks and dams, have the potential to be devastating. “Fertilizer needs to be delivered to growers exactly when and where they need it, and there is not much room for error,” Rosenbusch said. “When the optimal window opens it has to happen, and the industry must be ready and ensure the materials are all in place.”