WASHINGTON, D.C. – Led by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), over 40 national food and agriculture organizations today joined together to send letters to all 50 governors requesting that they “incorporate the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidance and any future amendments into their state response plan, and any critical shelter-in-place or shut down orders for their state, allowing these workers, facilities and services to continue to operate and provide necessary inputs for the food and agriculture supply chain.”
The letter highlights the critical nature of these workers, facilities and services and the importance of maintaining their ability to continue to operate and provide necessary inputs for the food and agriculture supply chain. Potential disruptions to these businesses would include impacts on accessibility of seed, fertilizer, crop protection products, credit providers, agricultural labor, equipment, grains, oilseeds and processed commodities, flour, animal food and ingredients for food-producing animals, modes of transportation, daily movement of milk and all other agricultural commodities.
The letter concludes with the need for swift and consistent action, saying, “[w]ith the spring planting season already upon us, the next six to eight weeks will be crucial to ensure that American agriculture can operate safely and without undue burdens that could inhibit our ability to do what we do best, feed the world.”
The full letter can be read by clicking here.
