Committee Advances Farm Bill with Key Conservation Provisions, Improvements Needed

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture took an important step toward passing a five-year Farm Bill by passing the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of committee. The committee adopted key provisions to enhance wildlife corridors, but lawmakers also included damaging provisions protecting pesticide manufacturers, preventing states from adding additional conditions to use of pesticides in their states, and undermining safeguards in bedrock environmental laws.

"Thank you to Chairman Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and the committee for advancing a Farm Bill that protects long term agriculture conservation funding and maintains the integrity of the Conservation Reserve Program," said Aviva Glaser, senior director of agriculture policy at the National Wildlife Federation. "We are pleased the committee added provisions to improve wildlife migration on private lands, including Congressman Gabe Vasquez's (D-N.M.) proposal to enhance wildlife corridors on working lands and Congressman Dusty Johnson's (D-S.D.) proposal to support virtual fencing. These are important wins for wildlife and people, though we remain concerned about several deeply problematic provisions in the proposal that remove key safeguards around pesticide use.

"Members of the full House should build upon the committee's efforts by addressing these concerning provisions - and further strengthening the voluntary conservation programs that support thriving wildlife, protect essential habitats, and promote sustainable agriculture. We will work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to pass a Farm Bill that is truly bipartisan and safeguards our nation's lands, waters, and wildlife for future generations."

The Farm Bill - historically the largest conservation bill that Congress regularly considers - supports farmers, ranchers, foresters, and other private landowners' efforts to conserve and restore wildlife and pollinator habitat, grasslands, and wetlands on private lands. Farm Bill conservation programs also help improve soil health, address climate change, strengthen water quality, and safeguard communities, plants, and wildlife from harmful pesticides.