The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) today responded to the White House Executive Order issued February 18, 2026, titled “Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate Based Herbicides,” which underscores the importance of maintaining reliable domestic supply chains for critical agricultural inputs.
“Agricultural retailers see firsthand how disruptions to essential inputs create uncertainty for farmers and rural communities,” said Daren Coppock, President and CEO of ARA. “The Executive Order’s focus on strengthening domestic supply chains and maintaining access to key inputs helps support certainty at the farm level and reinforces the resilience of the nation’s food system.”
Elemental phosphorus is a foundational input across agricultural and industrial supply chains, while glyphosate based herbicides remain an important weed management tool for many U.S. farming operations.
“As implementation moves forward, it is important that federal actions reflect real world supply chain dynamics,” Coppock continued. “Agricultural retailers are prepared to work with USDA and other federal partners to ensure existing distribution channels continue to serve farmers efficiently.”
Agricultural retailers serve as the primary distribution channel connecting manufacturers with farmers, providing timely access to crop protection tools and nutrients needed to support farm productivity and food supply stability. ARA is proud to represent agricultural retailers and distributors nationwide.
