Trump’s order to protect glyphosate, phosphorus a win for agriculture
(Photo by Brian Forsyth via Pexels.)
On Feb. 18, President Donald Trump garnered applause and jeers when he signed an executive order title, “Promoting the national defense by ensuring an adequate supply of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides.” Trump used the Defense Production Act of 1950 to safeguard these chemicals and their availability for food security and general defense of the country.
“As the most widely used crop protection tools in United States agriculture, glyphosate-based herbicides are a cornerstone of this nation’s agricultural productivity and rural economy, allowing United States farmers and ranchers to maintain high yields and low production costs while ensuring that healthy, affordable food options remain within reach for all American families,” the order read.
Glyphosate is one of the most studied and used herbicides in the world, with more than 50 years of research conducted. However, it is surrounded by controversy. In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a Group 2A “probably carcinogenic to humans” agent, citing limited human evidence and sufficient evidence in animals. However, other agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency do not classify it as a carcinogen.
Elemental phosphorus is a key component of glyphosate and is also used in many industrial and defense-related applications, which is why Trump designated both as crucial to military readiness and national defense. The order noted supply chain vulnerability for elemental phosphorus, and thus the Department of the Interior has designated it as a scarce material.
“Consistent with these findings, I find that ensuring robust domestic elemental phosphorus mining and United States-based production of glyphosate-based herbicides is central to American economic and national security. Without immediate Federal action, the United States remains inadequately equipped and vulnerable,” the order stated.
Bayer, the only company that produces glyphosate domestically—although generic versions of the product are imported from China—applauded Trump’s order. Monsanto, a subsidiary of Bayer, released the following statement in response to the order.
“President Trump’s executive order reinforces the critical need for U.S. farmers to have access to essential, domestically produced crop protection tools such as glyphosate. We will comply with this order to produce glyphosate and elemental phosphorus.”
Supporters of the Make America Healthy Again movement and other environmental activists were not pleased by Trump’s action.
“I can’t envision a bigger middle finger to every MAHA mom than this,” said Ken Cook, the president and co-founder of Environmental Working Group.
The MAHA group became supporters of Trump during the 2024 presidential election, and it is unclear how this turn of events will affect voting during the mid-term election coming up. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released a statement in support of the president.
“Donald Trump’s executive order puts America first where it matters most—our defense readiness and our food supply,” Kennedy Jr. said. “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families.”
Trump’s order put Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in charge of ensuring adequate supplies of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. She is also delegated to set regulations in coordination with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
“The secretary shall ensure that any order, rule, or regulation issued under this section does not place the corporate viability of any domestic producer of elemental phosphorus or glyphosate-based herbicides at risk,” the order states.
Lacey Vilhauer can be reached at 620-227-1871 or [email protected].
