Feenstra Urges Phosphate Be Added to Critical Minerals List

HULL, IOWA – This week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) joined a letter – led by U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) – asking U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum that phosphate be added to the Interior Department’s Draft 2025 Critical Minerals List. 

Feenstra joined an earlier letter requesting that potash be added to the Critical Minerals List, which was honored.

“Phosphate, like potash, is a crucial input for Iowa farmers and producers, helping to increase yields, strengthen crop resistance to disease, and retain nutrients in farm ground. However, with China controlling 40% of global phosphate production and other nations leveraging export controls to limit U.S. phosphate purchases, it’s important that we take steps to lower input costs and ensure that agriculture has access to affordable phosphate,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I joined Senator Ernst and other colleagues in requesting that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum add phosphate to the 2025 Critical Minerals List just as he graciously did after we asked that potash be included. Phosphate’s addition to the Critical Minerals List will help us increase domestic production and protect Iowa farmers from outsized dependence on foreign nations for phosphate.”

Feenstra previously joined other Iowa colleagues in legislative efforts to explore rising costs of fertilizer due to competition and trends in production.

The full letter can be found HERE.

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