How Operation Epic Fury Underscores the Need for a New Farm Bill
Key Takeaways
American farmers import fertilizer and key fertilizer ingredients from the Middle East.
Up to 30% of ingredients vital to U.S. farmers come from the region.
American agriculture depends on this supply chain during the summer growing season.
Concerns are growing that Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could disrupt global fertilizer supply chains, hurt American farmers, and increase food costs.
The Farm Bill (H.R. 8467) includes provisions that would spur domestic production of fertilizer and herbicides that our farmers need to feed America and the world.
If Congress does not act, China stands ready to fill any void in the supply.
Depending on China for fertilizer and herbicides puts America's food security at risk.
The Delivery of Fertilizer to the United States Is in Jeopardy
Since the beginning of Operation Epic Fury, there has understandably been significant focus on Iran's attempts to stop the flow of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Another major concern for Americans is the threat of a fertilizer shortage that could devastate our farmers just as the growing season begins.
American farmers are already starting to see the impact of Iran’s blockade on the global price of fertilizer. Farmers across the country may soon face major fertilizer shortages that could last until Iran is completely defeated. That means higher costs for families or even shortages here at home.
While the United States is the world’s largest producer of agricultural fertilizer, many nations in the Middle East supplement U.S. supply and provide key elements necessary to produce the fertilizers that American farmers and families depend on every day.
Saudi Arabia is the world’s fifth largest producer of fertilizer.
Turkey, Oman, and Pakistan are top 15 fertilizer producers worldwide.
Qatar is the fifth largest fertilizer importer into the United States.
Trading partners in the region are also large-scale global suppliers of elements key to producing fertilizer. For instance, Saudi Arabia is the number one supplier of phosphate to the United States. The supply of this key fertilizer ingredient is so important that President Trump designated it a national security priority under the Defense Production Act. According to the Fertilizer Institute, up to 30% of key phosphates come from countries in the region where shipping could be shut down. America’s dependence on foreign fertilizer underscores the need to boost domestic development now.
The New Farm Bill Will Give Relief to American Farmers
The House Agricultural Committee recently approved a five-year, bipartisan reauthorization of America’s farm programs, which is known on Capitol Hill as the “Farm Bill.” Among other major provisions, the legislation would immediately provide relief to our farmers by spurring domestic production of fertilizer and herbicides. The sooner Congress can get the bill to the President’s desk, the sooner America can secure its fertilizer supply chain and lower food prices.
As an example of protecting American fertilizer supply chains, the Farm Bill would establish a clear and uniform system of labeling standards for fertilizers and pesticides across the country. This will help to end an inconsistent landscape of different labeling from state to state. The clear standards will help boost the domestic fertilizer production industry and provide long-term economic security to American farmers.
The biggest roadblock to getting the Farm Bill done is Congressional partisanship. Congress is supposed to re-authorize American agriculture policy in the Farm Bill every five years. However, the last new Farm Bill was signed in 2018. That means that America has not updated those policies in over seven years. Meanwhile, countries around the world have completely transformed their agricultural policy. This gap creates an unacceptable disadvantage for the U.S. and our farmers.
China Looking to Take Advantage and Dominate Global Supply
Food security is national security. If a country cannot produce the food necessary to feed its citizens and export to the world, it will be dependent on adversaries for survival. China knows this and is weaponizing farmers in its quest for global power.
Just this week, China limited its exports of fertilizers in an effort to put the squeeze on American farmers, while the Strait of Hormuz is shut down. The cynical move by China is meant to drive up the prices of fertilizer and make food cost more for Americans.
The global chain reaction we are seeing is a clear example of why America must not be dependent on foreign adversaries for its food or the products needed to grow food. Step one in Congress must be to pass the new Farm Bill before this year.