Idaho Mine Covered By Defense Production Act

Last month, President Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act with the goal of protecting the domestic production of elemental phosphorus, which is key to glyphosate. 

And while glyphosate is used by growers and producers across the country, did you know the Defense Production Act has a direct connection to the Pacific Northwest?

“We have a mine right here in Idaho that Bayer operates where they mine elemental phosphorus," said Samantha Parrott is Executive Director of the Snake River Sugarbeet Growers Association.  "It's the only mine in the Western hemisphere. So there's only like three mines in the world; one's in China, one's somewhere else, you know, not a country that we're allies with. And so this mine plays a huge role. And elemental phosphorus, like I said, it's so important for glyphosate, which is a tool that our growers absolutely rely on. But elemental phosphorus is also used in other military things.”

Parrott added February’s Executive Order demonstrates how important food production is to the President and the American people.

“It's such an important mineral. It's such an important product. And again, this is all about food security is national security. We've got to be able to have the tools that our growers need to produce the food that feeds our nation. It's so critical.”

Click Here to read February's Executive Order.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com