A bipartisan group of lawmakers is seeking a resolution to help stabilize fertilizer markets. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst tells Brownfield a new letter on Wednesday asks Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to add phosphate to the U.S. Critical Minerals List.
“The designation would bolster phosphate production right here in the United States,” Ernst said Wednesday morning. “We know that we rely heavily on imports from other countries like China and Morocco, but what we need to do is bring that phosphate production home.”
In the letter, the lawmakers also thanked Burgum for heeding their call to include potash on the draft list, and emphasized that they look forward to working with him to ensure phosphate is recognized as well.
Ernst, a Republican from Iowa, says a decrease in fertilizer prices is a major need for U.S. farmers.
“I’m trying to work every angle possible to stabilize fertilizer markets and then drive those costs down for our farmers.”
Michigan Democrat Elissa Slotkin helped lead the letter with Ernst, which also included more than 60 congressional colleagues.