DHS designates fertilizer workers as ‘essential’

Companies and employees within the fertilizer industry have been designated as "essential critical infrastructure workers" by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as federal and state officials roll out stricter mandates to crimp the spread of coronavirus.

The DHS designation yesterday enables companies throughout the supply chain to maintain normal operations under various federal, state and local response efforts to the coronavirus, which have closed businesses and schools throughout the nation.

Industry advocacy group The Fertilizer Industry (TFI) applauded the move yesterday after urging the President Donald Trump's administration to shield fertilizer distributors from potential disruptions.

TFI this week urged the Department of Transportation and the White House to include shippers of ammonia and other fertilizers under its hours-of-services exemption, which was extended to commercial carriers transporting medical and relief supplies.

"Fertilizer is responsible for 50pc of crop yields and is essential to our nation's agricultural production and food supply," TFI president Corey Rosenbusch said. "We thank the Trump Administration for recognizing the critical role fertilizer plays in feeding our nation and the world."

The DHS's designation comes at a time when US growers are preparing to pre-apply fertilizer prior to planting this seasons' crops. Any bottleneck impairing the distribution of fertilizers during peak demand would disrupt when farmers could plant and ultimately impact US crop production.

"The next six to eight weeks will be crucial to our members and their farmer customers, as they conduct spring planting activities," Rosenbusch said in TFI's letter to the White House. "The timely delivery of plant nutrients to American farmers is critical to their ability to produce food, fuel and fiber."

By Connor Hyde