HYDE-SMITH, COLLEAGUES MOVE TO CUT FERTILIZER COSTS FOR AMERICAN FARMERS
Legislation Introduced to Eliminate Tariffs, Countervailing Duties on Moroccan Phosphate Fertilizers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) on Tuesday joined U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) in introducing legislation to lower the cost of fertilizer for American farmers.
The Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act (S.4418) seeks to deliver direct relief to American farmers harmed by rising input costs by eliminating tariffs and countervailing duties (CVDs) on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco.
“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,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “American producers have been asking for solutions, and this commonsense legislation will provide greater certainty for our farmers.”
“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.”
S.4418, which is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), 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
The National Cotton Council, USA Rice, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, Sorghum Growers, and the National Association of Wheat Growers have endorsed the Lowering Input Costs for American Farmers Act, which has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.
Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, opposed the Biden administration’s plans to impose duties on phosphate fertilizers in 2021.
In an Oval Office meeting last November, Hyde-Smith successfully urged President Trump to exempt fertilizers from reciprocal tariffs as part of his broader effort to shield agricultural imports from global tariffs.
Last year, Hyde-Smith was also among the lawmakers who asked the Trump administration to include both potash and phosphate on the final Critical Minerals List in order to facilitate domestic phosphate production, strengthen supply chains, reduce reliance on countries like China, lower input prices for farmers, and safeguard American food security. The administration agreed to add the key fertilizer ingredients to the list in November 2025.
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