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Feb. 20, 2026 Source: National Farmers Union news release WASHINGTON - National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew issued the following comments in response to the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture releasing H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. "Family farmers and ranchers are facing a significant economic crisis, and the next farm bill should reflect that reality. Regrettably, the bill that will be considered by the agriculture committee next week fails to match the magnitude of the challenges in front of us. "Trade disruptions, rising input costs, depressed commodity markets and corporate consolidation are squeezing family farmers from every direction. We need immediate relief, but we also need long-term structural reform to farm policy that will restore financial viability for our farms and ranches. "The bill takes several encouraging steps that NFU supports. The legislation revives the model of the recently cancelled Local Food Procurement Agreement program by authorizing state-led local food purchasing programs for the first time. It includes Farmers Union-backed credit improvements--such as higher Farm Service Agency loan limits and a pre-approval pilot--and authorizes local meat processing grants. It also preserves the Food for Peace program. "But too much of the bill is heading in the wrong direction. The bill fails to address the ongoing damage caused by the administration's tariff policies and continues to rely on ad hoc disaster assistance rather than establishing stronger farm policy tools. It also fails to reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef at a time when imports are on the rise and transparency is being demanded by farmers and consumers. And unfortunately, new authorizations for local food procurement, meat processing, and others that NFU supports are not funded. "We also have concerns about provisions that would limit states' ability to address questions of liability related to agricultural inputs -- an issue many of our state organizations have raised. NFU believes these questions deserve careful consideration as the bill moves forward. "Last summer's reconciliation package separated key farm safety net improvements and made deep cuts to nutrition programs -- two pillars that have traditionally been negotiated together as part of a comprehensive farm bill. Splitting these from the rest of the farm bill weakened the bipartisan coalition that typically accompanies the legislation. This markup is the first farm bill after that split, and it shows. "This isn't the farm bill we want, and it's not the farm bill we need. While we appreciate the continued effort to advance a farm bill, lawmakers are failing to seize the opportunity to deliver bold, comprehensive reforms that will truly support America's family farmers and ranchers." About NFU National Farmers Union advocates on behalf of more than 230,000 American farm families and their communities. We envision a world in which farm families and their communities are respected, valued, and enjoy economic prosperity and social justice. Learn more about us at NFU.org. Tweet |
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