U.S. Lawmakers Share Concerns About Consolidation in Seed, Fertilizer Industries

By Cami Koons

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley called for the end of countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizer during a Senate committee hearing Tuesday on competition in fertilizer and seed industries.

Farmers, retailers and politicians from both sides of the aisle agreed that consolidation in the agricultural industry is making it more difficult for farmers to make ends meet, especially when they are also faced with global trade opposition.

Grassley, chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, said farmers “don’t have a real choice, let alone a fair price” in the seed and fertilizer industries.