Modern Ag Alliance Applauds Kentucky Enacting Critical Legislation to Protect Farmers' Access to Essential Crop Protection Tools

OMAHA, Neb., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Kentucky General Assembly overrode the Governor's veto of Senate Bill 199, making Kentucky the third state in the nation to enact critical legislation protecting farmers' access to essential crop protection tools, following North Dakota and Georgia last year. SB 199, now law, provides Kentucky farmers with certainty around the tools they rely on every day. The measure passed with broad support in both chambers: the House of Representatives voted 56–32 to override, while the final tally in the Senate was 24–12.

"Farmers need clear, consistent rules to plan for the future and keep their operations profitable," said Modern Ag Alliance Executive Director Elizabeth Burns-Thompson. "SB 199 provides the clarity they need to keep growing the food, fuel, and fiber that families depend on. We applaud the Kentucky lawmakers who stood up for farmers and brought this critical legislation into law."

SB 199 reaffirms a simple, longstanding principle: when a crop protection product meets the rigorous scientific standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and is used according to its label, that label is the law. This clarity is critical to ensuring farmers and foresters can continue to access the products they depend on.

Kentucky agriculture generates nearly $50 billion annually and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Commonwealth. From row crops to livestock and forestry, producers rely on crop protection tools to manage invasive weeds, maintain productivity, and plan for the future.

Without them, research shows yields could decline by as much as 70%, while food inflation could more than double—impacts that would be felt far beyond the farm.

The importance of these tools extends beyond row crop agriculture. Forestry operations rely on them to manage invasive species and ensure successful regeneration, protecting Kentucky's forests and the industries they support. Across the agricultural economy, these tools play a vital role in maintaining productivity, affordability, and long-term sustainability.

"At the end of the day, SB 199 is about making sure producers have what they need to do their jobs, support their families, and keep Kentucky's economy strong," said Burns-Thompson. "We are grateful to the Kentucky General Assembly for recognizing the importance of this issue for farmers and delivering a lasting impact for communities across the Commonwealth."

The bill, sponsored by Senators Jason Howell and Craig Richardson, was carried in the House by Representative Ryan Bivens and championed by a coalition of 14 Kentucky agricultural and business organizations, which collectively represent tens of thousands of Kentucky producers. This coalition includes the Kentucky Farm Bureau, Kentucky Soybean Association, Kentucky Corn Growers' Association, Kentucky Small Grain Growers' Association, Kentucky Forest Industry Association, Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, Kentucky Retail Federation, AgriBusiness Association of Kentucky, Kentucky Burley and Dark Tobacco Producers Association, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, Kentucky Dairy Development Council, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, Kentucky Poultry Federation, and Southern Crop Production Association.

About The Modern Ag Alliance

The Modern Ag Alliance is a diverse coalition of more than 110 agricultural organizations advocating for U.S. farmers' access to the crop protection tools they need to ensure we have a robust and affordable domestic food supply. To learn more, visit modernagalliance.org.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Modern Ag Alliance