[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 114 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 35956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12821]


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 Notices
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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 https://www.regulations.gov. 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 https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaina Nian, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, at (202) 378-2541; or by email at [email protected].

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:
     What obstacles exist to the financing and development of 
new fertilizer capacity that would enhance the competitiveness of 
fertilizer markets?
     Would new or expanded domestic manufacturing, mining, 
processing, or alternative fertilizer production capacity help promote 
access to and affordability of fertilizer for agricultural producers?
     Are there existing ``shovel ready'' manufacturing, mining, 
or other processes that could or should be adjusted to facilitate new 
fertilizer production?
     Are there other potential new entrants in the near or 
medium-term?
     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]
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