Notice2022-12821
Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 14, 2022
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentAgricultural Marketing Service
Abstract
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an additional 30 days for comments and information from the public regarding competition-related challenges in the U.S. fertilizer market and other obstacles to producers accessing affordable, responsibly manufactured fertilizer. This notice requests additional comments and information to inform the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to expand capacity and maximize investments in the fertilizer market.
Full Text
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 35956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12821]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 114 / Tuesday, June 14, 2022 /
Notices
[[Page 35956]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-AMS-22-0027]
Access to Fertilizer: Competition and Supply Chain Concerns
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is providing an
additional 30 days for comments and information from the public
regarding competition-related challenges in the U.S. fertilizer market
and other obstacles to producers accessing affordable, responsibly
manufactured fertilizer. This notice requests additional comments and
information to inform the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA)
efforts to expand capacity and maximize investments in the fertilizer
market.
DATES: The comment period for the notice originally published on March
17, 2022, at 87 FR 15191, is extended. Comments must be submitted on or
before July 15, 2022.
ADDRESSES: All written comments in response to this notice should be
posted online at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Comments received will be
posted without change, including any personal information provided. All
comments should reference the docket number AMS-AMS-22-0027, the date
of submission, and the page number of this issue of the Federal
Register. Comments may also be sent to Jaina Nian, Agricultural
Marketing Service, USDA, Room 2055-S, STOP 0201, 1400 Independence
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0201. Comments will be made available
for public inspection at the above address during regular business
hours or via the internet at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaina Nian, Agricultural Marketing
Service, at (202) 378-2541; or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e08a81898e81ce8e89818ea095938481ce878f96"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8d2d9d1d6d996d6d1d9d6f8cdcbdcd996dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 9, 2021, President Biden issued an
Executive Order titled ``Promoting Competition in the American
Economy,'' which creates a White House Competition Council and directs
Federal agency actions to enhance fairness and competition across
America's economy. Among other things, the Executive Order directs the
Council and member agencies to ``identify and advance any additional
administrative actions necessary'' to promote competition on an ongoing
basis. The Secretary of Agriculture takes note of wide-ranging concern
from agricultural producers regarding access to and pricing of
fertilizer.
On March 11, 2022, USDA announced \1\ plans for a $250 million
investment in grants to support additional fertilizer production for
American farmers to address rising costs and spur competition. On May
11, 2022, in conjunction with his visit to an Illinois farm, the
Secretary announced \2\ a doubling of the initial investment to $500
million, among other measures designed to assist farmers.
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\1\ USDA Announces Plans for $250 Million Investment to Support
Innovative American-made Fertilizer to give U.S. Farmers more
choices in the Marketplace [verbar] USDA.
\2\ $500 Million for U.S. Fertilizer Production Among Measures
Announced by Biden [verbar] Hoosier Ag Today.
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A notice published in the Federal Register on March 17, 2022 (87 FR
15191), requested comments and information from the public to assist
AMS in identifying relevant difficulties, including competition
concerns, and potential policy solutions for the fertilizer market.
This notice established a 60-day comment period, ending May 16, 2022.
The comment period was extended by 30 days on May 16, 2022 (87 FR
29731). AMS is once again extending the comment period related to this
request for information in order to obtain public input regarding the
fertilizer program. Comments must be submitted on or before July 15,
2022.
In particular, and in light of the announced and expanded funding
program, AMS seeks additional responses to the following questions,
which were listed in the original notice:
<bullet> What obstacles exist to the financing and development of
new fertilizer capacity that would enhance the competitiveness of
fertilizer markets?
<bullet> Would new or expanded domestic manufacturing, mining,
processing, or alternative fertilizer production capacity help promote
access to and affordability of fertilizer for agricultural producers?
<bullet> Are there existing ``shovel ready'' manufacturing, mining,
or other processes that could or should be adjusted to facilitate new
fertilizer production?
<bullet> Are there other potential new entrants in the near or
medium-term?
<bullet> How might USDA best support investment in new fertilizer
capacity in the U.S.?
Melissa Bailey,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-12821 Filed 6-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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