On Friday, March 11, USDA issued a request for information seeking information from the public about the impacts of concentation and market power in fertilizer, seeds, other agricultural inputs, and retail. The comment period is open for 60 days. According to USDA, the information will be utilized to develop policies relating to fair and competitive markets, supply chain resiliency, pandemic response, local and regional food systems, and other areas.
USDA is seeking information specifically on:
- Fertilizer.
- Seed and agricultural inputs, in particular as they relate to the intellectual property system.
- Retail, including access to retail through wholesale and distribution markets.
More below:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/fair-competitive/rfi
Comments can be made for 60 days once the request for information is published in the federal register.