THE FARM BILL
Supporting Farmers, Food Security, and Essential Crop Protection Tools
The Farm Bill is one of the most consequential pieces of legislation for American agriculture, providing farmers with the certainty and stability they need to plan ahead, manage risk, and produce a safe, abundant, and affordable food supply for American families.
The Importance of the Farm Bill
The 2026 Farm Bill comes at a time when farmers are facing sustained financial pressure and growing regulatory uncertainty, particularly around access to essential crop protection tools. In recent years, some states have proposed labeling requirements that contradict decades of scientific review and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determinations. A patchwork of inconsistent state standards would sow marketplace confusion, weaken science-based regulation, and further destabilize already strained farm operations.
Section 10205: Pesticide Labeling Clarity
Based on H.R. 4288, the bipartisan Agricultural Labeling Uniformity Act of 2023, Sec. 10205 of the 2026 Farm Bill reaffirms that under FIFRA, the EPA is the sole authority for pesticide labeling and packaging requirements.
This provision does not weaken enforcement—federal and state regulators retain full authority to hold bad actors accountable. It does not restrict EPA’s ability to review new science or reassess products to ensure continued safety. And it does not alter states’ authority to regulate the sale and use of pesticides.
Why These Tools Are Essential
Crop protection tools help farmers control weeds and pests, protect yields, manage input costs, and implement conservation practices that reduce environmental impact. Without these tools, the consequences would be significant:
Food Security
- Farmers rely on pesticides to grow their crops and keep yields high, ensuring we have enough to eat.
- Up to 40% of crops are lost to pests and diseases each year. Without pesticides, yield losses could be as high as 85%.
Farm Viability
- Without access to the most commonly used crop protection tool, farmers' input costs could more than double, and farmers could lose more
- than $2.89 billion annually. Overall, loss of glyphosate would cost farmers, consumers, and taxpayers $74 billion over the 2025–2029 Farm Bill period.
Food Prices
- Without crop protection tools, lower yields and increased input costs will force consumers to pay even higher food prices.
- Without the most commonly-used crop protection tool, food inflation could more than double—adding up to $10 billion to the cost of food for American households every year.