Bill Text: MI SR0139 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to urge Congress to pass legislation that would allow farmers, along with coalitions and trade associations representing farmers, to petition the U.S. International Trade Commission to temporarily waive tariffs on imports of fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients imported from Morocco.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 12-2)
Status: (Passed) 2022-05-17 - Adopted [SR0139 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-SR0139-Enrolled.html
senate resolution no.139
Senators VanderWall, McBroom, Daley, Barrett, Bizon, Victory, Horn, Wozniak, Lauwers, MacDonald, Huizenga, Wojno, Bullock and Schmidt offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Michigan’s agricultural industry is vitally important to the state economy. As our nation’s second most diverse agricultural system, it contributes more than $104.7 billion in economic activity annually to the state. More than 800,000 people work in Michigan’s agricultural industry, and care for nearly 10 million acres of land; and
Whereas, Fertilizer is a critical agricultural input that is utilized by farmers to provide nutrients to their land and maximize the productivity of their farms. Michigan farmers require access to fertilizers in order to nourish their land and maintain production levels; and
Whereas, The International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that the import of foreign fertilizers injured U.S. manufacturers. As a result, the ITC decided to impose a nineteen percent tariff on imports of fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients from Morocco. The tariffs, which were implemented in early 2021, significantly increased fertilizer prices; and
Whereas, Fertilizer prices in the United States are now at an all-time high. Fertilizer prices had already been increasing due to factors such as rising costs of raw materials and increased demand for inputs. With these tariffs in effect, farmers who were already struggling to compete with rising costs are now faced with an increased financial burden and uncertain future; and
Whereas, Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to rely on imported fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients. For example, more than 95 percent of potash, one of the key components found in fertilizer, is currently imported from outside the U.S.; and
Whereas, Michigan contains the only commercial deposit of natural potash in the U.S. and the highest quality natural potash deposit in the world. The Michigan Legislature recently provided an investment of $50 million to establish potash extraction infrastructure in Michigan. Once completed, this project will help increase domestic supply of this critical mineral, thereby strengthening and securing the supply of high-quality potash for Michigan farmers, in addition to providing hundreds of full-time jobs and boosting Michigan’s economy. This will be crucial for the Michigan agricultural industry, as significant supply shortages and skyrocketing costs continue to burden Michigan farmers; and
Whereas, Legislation has been introduced in Congress that would allow a process for individual farmers, along with coalitions and trade associations representing farmers, to petition the ITC to temporarily waive tariffs on imports of fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients. With the price of fertilizer on the rise, this would help alleviate costs for farmers, as Morocco is one of the top five exporters of fertilizer to the United States; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge Congress to pass legislation that would allow farmers, along with coalitions and trade associations representing farmers, to petition the ITC to temporarily waive tariffs on imports of fertilizer and fertilizer ingredients imported from Morocco; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
