US Phosphate Plant Coming Online, AFBF Against Beef Import Plan

The livestock industry has been rattled in recent days following President Donald Trump's announcement to remove import tariffs on beef in an effort to lower grocery store prices. AFBF Managing Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs, Sadie Knight.

We as an organization are deeply disappointed to see that movement and to see that action take place. And we're going to be communicating with the White House. We're going to be working with members of Congress who have jurisdiction over these type of issues to better understand the situation and get more information. But then also press back pretty hard on this decision. Our cattlemen and our ranchers-they-they can't afford to take this hit and to take this loss.

AFBF, along with the Livestock Marketing Association, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and the U.S. Cattlemen's Association, have sent a joint letter to the president objecting to the proposal, urging the Trump administration to reverse course and to pursue policies aimed at strengthening domestic cattle production and herd growth in Wagaman, Louisiana, will be home to a new phosphate plant, the first one to be constructed in the U.S. in more than 40 years. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, which

is expected to reduce U.S. dependency on imported phosphate fertilizer by up to 60%

The plant will produce 1.3 million metric tons of phosphate fertilizer per year.