ICYMI: Hinson Pushes for Fertilizer Transparency, Greater Competition, and Lower Input Costs at Appropriations Hearing
Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins before the House Appropriations Ag-FDA Subcommittee, advocating for greater transparency and competition in fertilizer markets, as well as the critical role FSA offices play in supporting Iowa farmers.
On the need for greater transparency and more competition in fertilizer markets:
"Thank you, Madam Secretary, for being here. I appreciated your comments about E-15. We love that access to that market, and our farmers need that help.
"Of course, you talked about it—it is a tough time for the farm economy right now, and it is under real strain…fertilizer prices obviously continue to be top of mind for our farmers in Iowa. Many of the concerns that I’m hearing from my folks back home are about consolidation in the fertilizer industry. A few companies are dominating the market.
"And then, of course, we see someone like Mosaic say, 'Hey, we’re going to idle these facilities,' at a time when our farmers are paying through the roof for these input prices. I just don’t think that’s right.
“We know this isn’t a problem that happened overnight—you acknowledged that in your opening statement as well. I think we do need to take some quick action here to make sure we’re improving price transparency around fertilizer in those markets...We have a piece of legislation that would force some transparency in this—a bipartisan, bicameral Fertilizer...Transparency Act—so we can get those numbers out weekly. ”
On protecting Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices for Iowa farmers:
"Really quickly, in the time that I have left—you already touched on, a little bit with FSA offices and how important those are to our farmers on the ground. I think we need to make sure that as we are looking at a very very tough budget year, that we’re not cutting back on those services to our farmers.
"So can you walk us through your own vision to make sure that adequate staffing is there on the ground at the FSA office?”
Secretary Brooke Rollins:
"I think of all the things we do, I’m not sure that there’s anything more important than making sure that we have an on-the-ground team that can do everything they can to help these farmers move the funding through and access the programs that they need.”
Watch the full exchange here. Read more about Rep. Hinson’s legislative pushes to level the playing field and lower costs for ag inputs like fertilizer HERE and HERE.