US farming organisations, including the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC), have urged an end to the deadlock surrounding the Agricultural Act 2026.
The US introduces new federal legislation every five or six years, setting out policy on areas such as commodity programmes, trade, rural development, farm credit, conservation, agricultural research and nutrition programmes.
But its latest iteration has been delayed since 2023 with bitter disagreements in Congress, In May, the NCFC joined other organisations in welcoming progress, but the bill has once more hit the buffers.
Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee stopped work on the legislation, after 11-to-10 vote left the process in deadlock and saw the panel to recess indefinitely.
It is now feared that, with the Congressional timetable running out, the much-needed update to previous farm legislation, passed in 2018, will be stalled for another year.
The bill included updated safety-net provisions, rural development measures, more than 100 bipartisan priorities, and authorisation for nationwide year-round sales of E15 (and ethanol/gasoline fuel blend). The committee remained split over state cost-sharing requirements within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The 2018 farm bill is now operating under its third consecutive extension, which expires on 30 September 30
“We are deeply disappointed that the Senate Agriculture Committee was unable to advance the Agricultural Act of 2026,” said Duane Simpson, CEO and president of the NCFC. “This is a critical setback for the farmers, ranchers, co-ops, and rural communities who have waited far too long for meaningful relief.
“American agriculture is already under extreme economic strain while producers must use programmes that have not been updated since 2018. Our nation’s farm families, along with the American consumers who depend on a safe and reliable food supply, cannot go another year without the certainty they urgently need.
“We urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to find a path forward for agricultural producers and Americans without further delay.”
