PotashCorp engages with elected officials and regulators through meetings; financial contributions by a US subsidiary's Political Action Committee (contributions limited to the United States); and trade associations.
In the United States, the public policy issues addressed or monitored in 2007 include the following:
- Proposed climate change legislation – The company monitored bills that were being drafted to determine how they would impact US agriculture. It also tracked the various ways members of Congress want to address the climate change issue. Draft legislation was analyzed to ensure that efforts to address it would be based on science. PotashCorp is concerned that future climate change legislation could reduce the use of commercial fertilizers and thereby lower crop yields during a period of record low grain inventories. Lobbying activities regarding proposed climate change legislation were conducted through the company's membership in The Fertilizer Institute, which is based in Washington, DC.
- Energy and biofuels – PotashCorp worked with registered lobbyists and other professional staff at The Fertilizer Institute to provide input for draft legislation that would eventually become the "Energy Independence and Security Act." This law increases the renewable fuels (biofuels/ethanol) mandate in the US to 36 billion gallons by 2022. PotashCorp supports this legislation.
- "Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Act of 2007" – The company worked with The Fertilizer Institute to ensure appropriate language for the safe handling, storage and sale of this product. It fully supports the need to have standardized regulations that ensure ammonium nitrate supplies are secure and safe from those who would use this product for destructive causes.
- "The National Environment and Energy Development Act" – PotashCorp supported the NEED Act which seeks to greatly enhance the nation's environmental, energy, economic and national security by terminating long-standing federal prohibitions on the domestic production of abundant offshore supplies of natural gas. PotashCorp supported this legislation through the lobbying activities of The Fertilizer Institute.
- "Farms, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007" – Working with The Fertilizer Institute, the company provided input for this Act (commonly referred to as the Farm Bill). The final Act contained language favorable to US agriculture and the fertilizer industry. PotashCorp supported the Bill and it was eventually signed into law.
In Trinidad, senior management participates in the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, the Regulated Industries Commission and the Board of Governors of the University of Trinidad and Tobago. PCS Trinidad is also a key member of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce, one of the country's premier business organizations. Through this important relationship, the company participates in the development of policies, rules, regulations and legislation, including health, safety and environmental legislation.