Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology
The Business Council for Agrotechnology

Terry Kippley, CPDA

January 15, 2026

From the Desk of Terry Kippley, CPDA President & CEO

As we begin 2026, CPDA remains focused on two priorities that matter most to our members: protecting your freedom to operate and growing market opportunity.

That means defending a science-based regulatory system, ensuring stable funding for EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs, and shaping policies like PRIA 6 that directly affect how your products move to market. It also means expanding opportunities through certification programs, regulatory modernization, and stronger engagement across the agricultural value chain.

In short: protecting the acre and growing the opportunity. It is the core of our mission and our approach to advocacy that drives markets.

I also encourage you to register for CPDA’s 2026 Fly-In. It remains one of our most effective platforms to engage policymakers directly and reinforce the value our industry delivers to U.S. agriculture. Registration is now open, and we look forward to seeing many of you in Washington this spring.



Best regards,

EPA Funding Update: OPP Protected

The House has passed a three-bill FY2026 funding package that includes the Interior-Environment bill by a strong 397–28 vote.

Importantly, the package includes a small increase for EPA’s pesticide program after earlier proposals would have cut the agency by more than 20 percent. Funding for the Office of Pesticide Programs is preserved, supporting continued progress on backlog reduction.

The Senate has advanced the package and is expected to complete action soon. Several large funding bills remain unresolved, but this agreement reduces the risk of a near-term shutdown.



What it means for CPDA members:

Stable OPP funding supports predictable reviews, continued backlog progress, and regulatory certainty.

Preparing CPDA Priorities for PRIA 6

CPDA’s EPA Working Group has begun shaping priorities for the upcoming PRIA 6 reauthorization.

PRIA 6 is expected to be introduced later this year. More details to come.



What it means for CPDA members:

Early engagement helps ensure modernization efforts reflect the regulatory realities facing CPDA members.

Coalition Defends Science-Based Pesticide Regulation

CPDA joined agriculture groups in publicly supporting EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and the agency’s science-based, risk-driven pesticide review process.

The coalition response follows increased pressure to reopen settled scientific determinations and further restrict registered products. The letter warns that doing so would disrupt farmer access to essential tools and undermine regulatory certainty. It also reaffirms that EPA’s framework remains the global standard for pesticide safety review.

The letter was highlighted in Politico and is here.

What it means for CPDA members:

Active coalition engagement helps protect regulatory stability and confidence in EPA’s decision-making.

CPDA Quoted on Rail Merger

CPDA President and CEO Terry Kippley was quoted in The Daily Scoop on the proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger.

CPDA also participates in the Rail Customer Coalition to protect member interests tied to service reliability, competition, and agricultural supply chain resilience.

What it means for CPDA members:

Rail service and competition directly affect the timely movement of crop protection products and the broader ag supply chain that CPDA members rely on.

Label Policy Update: PRN 98-10 Commentary Underway

EPA has proposed major revisions to PRN 98-10, which outlines what changes may be made to pesticide labels and registrations by notification, non-notification, and fast-track amendments. Public comments are due February 19, but an extension has been requested. CPDA is helping to prepare comments from the PRIA Coalition. CPDA’s priorities include classifying addition and modification of label statements “recommending use of CPDA certified adjuvants” as non-notifications, not requiring review or approval by EPA.  Contact me to participate in this comment process.

What it means for CPDA members:

Clear treatment of advisory language reduces regulatory uncertainty, supports the CPDA certification programs, and enables consistent use of label statements that drive market adoption.

CPDA Collaborates with EPA on InertFinder Improvements

CPDA continues to engage EPA on improvements to the InertFinder database, including submitting a formal memo outlining concerns and options for modernization.  CPDA members have convened to discuss next steps, preparation of a white paper and continued dialogue with the Agency.

CPDA’s reconstituted Inerts Committee will also recommend changes to PRIA regulatory actions involving approval of inert ingredients.  Let us know your ideas and concerns – tell us what needs to be added, deleted, or changed.

What it means for CPDA members:

Greater transparency and usability in InertFinder can reduce delays and compliance friction for inert ingredient approvals. And this is our opportunity to improve the approval process for inert ingredients.

Coalition Bilingual Labeling Comments

On January 12, the PRIA Coalition submitted comments on the Information Collection Request (ICR) regarding EPA’s process for tracking the implementation of Bilingual Pesticide Labeling. CPDA contributed to development of the comments. The process involves checking boxes on the list of your company’s registered products in the MyPeST app.  Contact me with any questions.

EPA Convenes PRIA Quarterly Update, January 26

EPA has scheduled a hybrid (virtual/in-person) PRIA Quarterly Update meeting on Monday January 26 at its Washington DC headquarters.  Contact me to receive the meeting invitation and let me know if you plan to attend in person, so we include your name on the security check-in list. 

Industry Engagement

CPDA at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention

CPDA participated in AFBF’s annual meeting and connected with congressional leadership and agricultural stakeholders.

House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN)

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR)

House Agriculture Chairman G.T. Thompson (R-PA)

CPDA at Commodity Classic

CPDA will participate in this year’s Commodity Classic. Resources developed alongside CropLife America and the Agricultural Retailers Association will be featured on the main stage, and CPDA and participating member companies will host a media meet-and-greet.



Member companies planning to attend and interested in participating or sponsoring should contact Terry.

KALO President Chuck Champion Retires

After a remarkable 38-year career, Chuck Champion, KALO President, will be retiring at the end of the first quarter of 2026.

"Serving KALO for nearly four decades has been the privilege of my career," said Champion. "What makes this company special is the integrity of its people and the trust we've earned from customers across agriculture, turf and ornamental markets. I'm proud of what we've built together and confident that KALO's best chapters are still ahead."

Join us in wishing Chuck all the best in this new chapter!

CPDA Member Adjuvants Unlimited Rebrands as AU Solutions

CPDA member Adjuvants Unlimited has a new name: AU Solutions.

This change reflects their expanded capabilities, science-driven innovation, and commitment to delivering even greater value to partners. With 30+ years of expertise and advanced labs in Tennessee and Oklahoma, AU Solutions partners with customers from concept to commercialization.

Congratulations!

Upcoming Webinar: Earn 1 IPM CEU Credit

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 1:00 pm ET

Drift Reduction Adjuvants & Effective Nozzle Selection

Combining drift reduction adjuvants with nozzles as a way to complement pesticide activity while minimizing drift

Certified Crop Advisers attending this webinar will earn one Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program IPM CEU.

This season, we go beyond the basics—showing how adjuvants drive performance, stewardship, and ROI. Each session delivers expert insights to help agronomists boost technical know-how and deliver more value in the field. Join us for fresh takes on evolving technologies, formulation breakthroughs, and best practices for better spray performance and sustainability.

This webinar is offered in partnership with Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) as part of the Adjuvant Advantage for the Sales Agronomist series.

CPDA Members: Register for DC Fly-In

March 3–5, 2026

Make Your Voice Heard

Your seat at the table to:

• PROTECT EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs Funding

• ADVOCATE for the Pesticide Registration Improvement Act (PRIA 6) Modernization

• MEET directly with EPA Leadership on Registration Backlog Improvements 

Expand Markets & Protect Productive Acres

This is an important meeting for all CPDA member companies. 

We hope you can join us!

Stay Informed with CPDA's Weekly Policy Update

Each week, CPDA Vice President of Government Relations Andrew Walmsley breaks down the latest developments in Washington and what they mean for the crop protection and ag technology sectors in Insider Ag Policy,  a concise, no-spin briefing followed by hundreds of policymakers, industry leaders, and association partners.



If you’d like these updates delivered directly to your inbox, click Subscribe on LinkedIn to join more than 750 readers who already follow Insider Ag Policy.

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Until next time….