The Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE, FOREIGN OPERATIONS AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 (CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008) -- (House of Representatives - December 17, 2007)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my support for the House Amendments to Senate Amendment to H.R. 2764--State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2008, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. Specifically, I would like to take this opportunity to highlight and clarify language included in Division E, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2008 regarding the Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate.

Farmers who use ammonium nitrate in agriculture production normally obtain their ammonium nitrate from a retail fertilizer dealership. Any retail fertilizer dealership that stores and sells ammonium nitrate would have to register under this legislation. The intent of this legislation is ``track and trace''--to provide law enforcement officials with the ability to know where ammonium nitrate is being stored and the establishment of a pre-screening process before a person can take possession of ammonium nitrate.

Retail fertilizer dealerships provide many services for farmers and one of those services is custom application. Many farmers that buy fertilizer never physically take possession of ammonium nitrate. The farmer purchases the services of the dealer who spreads the ammonium nitrate on the farmer's field. These custom application services can be provided by other businesses that would be subject to the registration requirements of the legislation.

In Mississippi and southeastern United States, nearly 90 percent of the 41,800 tons of ammonium nitrate purchased is applied by a fertilizer dealer or applicator company to the field. Only 10 percent of the ammonium nitrate fertilizer purchased in the southeastern United States is ever under the direct control and possession of the farm customer.

It is not the intent of this legislation to require individuals that use custom application services and do not take possession of ammonium nitrate to be subject to be registered. I believe this bill will enhance the security surrounding ammonium nitrate in agriculture and ammonium nitrate will be kept out of the hands of would-be terrorists.

I also ask that a letter submitted by The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), in support of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, be inserted in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.

Again, I support this legislation that reduces the risk that large quantities of ammonium nitrate could fall into the wrong hands while ensuring access for agriculture professionals and farmers who use this fertilizer for legitimate purposes.

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