National commodity groups call on ITC to nix herbicide duty petition

Leaders from the American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers and the U.S. Durum Growers Association sent a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission, according to an April 18 news release.

The letter encouraged the ITC to vote no regarding a petition by Corteva Agribusiness to place antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of the herbicide 2,4-D shipped from India and China. If passed and the case goes beyond the preliminary stage, and critical access to supplies needed by U.S. farmers would become more difficult.

The six leaders expressed concerns that the petition could hinder imports and cause herbicide shortages.

“The imports covered by this case are the large majority of sources of supply other than Corteva, which is the only U.S. supplier,” the letter said. “To put it simply, America’s farmers cannot rely upon a sole domestic supplier of 2,4-D to meet nearly all the market’s needs, and imports are needed to meet the majority of market needs.”

Duties on 2,4-D imports from the two countries would intensify what is already a difficult period for many growers as key input costs continue to increase.

“There is no way for farmers to make up for the additional costs, as we are price takers, not makers, in selling crops,” the leaders said. “If this case moves forward, we will be forced to make budget cuts that can impact our operations as well as our local economies. To put it simply, the weight of a dispute between multinational companies would fall directly on the shoulders of growers.”

The ITC is scheduled to vote on its preliminary determination in this case on May 17.