The Fertilizer Institute is urging state governors to follow federal guidelines and list the fertilizer industry as essential service and critical infrastructure. TFI said in a letter to governors, the declaration will “ensure that American agriculture can remain operable and continue to provide food security.”

TFI represents fertilizer manufacturers, transporters, wholesalers, importers, brokers and retailers.

The fertilizer industry supports nearly 500,000 American jobs and has an economic impact of over $130 billion annually. The letter said the next six to eight weeks will be crucial to its members and their farmer customers, as they conduct spring planting activities.

TFI says the timely delivery of plant nutrients to American farmers is critical to their ability to produce food, fuel, and fiber. In order to get plant nutrients to the farm, the fertilizer industry relies on a safe and efficient transportation network, including rail carriers, ports, barges, pipelines, and trucks.

In addition, the ability to move products across the borders of Canada and Mexico is also an important part of the fertilizer supply chain.

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