USCA and Coalition Advocate for Seed Oils in Capitol Hill Fly-In
In late May, USCA participated in a Capitol Hill fly-in with the Seed Oils Coalition—including ASA, NOPA, and others—meeting with over 50 congressional offices. The coalition emphasized the science-backed health benefits of seed oils, their essential role in American diets, and the economic risks of removing them from the food supply. These conversations, held just before the release of The MAHA Report, aimed to ensure that policymakers understood the vital contributions of canola farmers and the broader seed oil industry to public health and the agricultural economy.
Boozman and Thompson Express Concerns Over MAHA Commission’s Initial Assessment
On May 23, 2025, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) issued a joint statement responding to the MAHA Commission’s initial assessment. While aligning with President Trump’s vision for a healthier nation, they expressed concerns that the Commission’s findings could have a negative impact on American farmers and ranchers. They emphasized the importance of adhering to risk-based, scientific processes established by Congress. They called for the Commission to prioritize sound science, peer-reviewed research, and engagement with the agricultural community. The chairmen affirmed their commitment to maintaining the health and safety of America’s food supply through rigorous oversight and responsible policymaking. Read more: https://bit.ly/3FiLnFU
House Reconciliation Package Expands Farm Bill Programs and Ag Support
The House passed their Reconciliation bill 215-214 before adjourning for the Memorial Day recess. The bill includes several key provisions for canola producers including an increase in the Reference Price under the PLC program from the current $20.15 to $23.75 per hundredweight. There is also an additional 0.5% annual increase for all Reference Prices starting in 2031. The package also includes increases in loan rates for several commodities, including canola, where the loan rate would rise to $11.10 per hundredweight.
The legislation also would allow producers to enroll new base acres that would be eligible for PLC or ARC coverage. The new allocation would be based on plantings from 2019 to 2023 for producers who currently do not have base or whose average planted and prevented plant acres exceed the current base acres on the farm.
Coverage under Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) policies is increased from 86% to 90%. The bill also increases premium subsidy levels across the different coverage levels for basic and optional units. The subsidy rates are higher at lower levels of coverage. The largest increase in premium subsidy, however, is for SCO.
Additionally, $125 million in mandatory funding will be allocated annually to support research facilities for agriculture. These provisions reflect a broad effort to support agriculture through various financial and programmatic measures.
The focus now turns to the Senate to see what version of the Reconciliation package they will pass and how it will differ from the House bill.
House Reconciliation Package Includes Biofuels and Pro-Farmer Tax Relief Measures
Of great significance for canola, the measure amends the 45Z biofuels tax credit. It extends the credit through December 31, 2031 (it is currently set to expire at the end of 2027), excludes indirect Land Use Changes (ILUC) for purposes of lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions calculations and has feedstock limitation language that accommodates Canadian canola.
The reconciliation package extends 2017 tax cuts and includes key benefits for farmers: permanent stepped-up basis, higher estate tax exemptions, an increased 23% Section 199A deduction, reinstated 100% bonus depreciation for five years, and expanded Section 179 expensing up to $2.5 million.
U.S. and China Agree to Temporary Tariff Reductions
The U.S. and China have agreed to a 90-day pause on steep tariff hikes, lowering reciprocal tariffs to 10%. U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods will still include existing Section 232 and 301 duties, resulting in a minimum rate of 30%. China will cut retaliatory tariffs to 10% and eliminate recent non-tariff barriers.
EU Proposes €95 Billion in New Retaliatory Tariffs, Opens Public Comment Period
In response to U.S. tariffs on cars, auto parts, and broader reciprocal measures, the European Union has unveiled a draft list of proposed retaliatory tariffs totaling €95 billion. This initiative is separate from previous EU countermeasures to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, which were placed on a 90-day hold following a temporary pause by the U.S. administration. The new list targets a wider range of U.S. goods and is now open for public comment until June 10.
Key tariff updates include:
- China: 30% tariff (10% reciprocal + 20% fentanyl-related)
- All Other Countries (Annex 1): Reduced to 10%
- UK: 10% reciprocal tariff remains despite trade agreement
- Canada & Mexico: 25% on non-USMCA goods; 10% on non-USMCA energy/potash; 0% on compliant products
- Steel & Aluminum: 25% tariff remains in place
This move signals an escalation of trade tensions and a potential expansion of EU-U.S. trade disputes beyond traditional sectors.
Senator Hoeven Reintroduces FARMER Act to Strengthen Crop Insurance and Enhance Farm Safety Net
Senator John Hoeven, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, has reintroduced the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act. This legislation aims to bolster the farm safety net by making higher levels of crop insurance more affordable for producers. Key provisions include increasing premium support for higher coverage levels, improving the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO), and allowing flexibility between enhanced crop insurance and participation in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of agricultural organizations and is intended for inclusion in the upcoming farm bill. Read Senator Hoeven’s letter: https://bit.ly/44wavmB
Clean Fuels Applauds Bipartisan Congressional Letter Supporting Robust 2026 RFS Volumes
Clean Fuels Alliance America praised a bipartisan letter from 28 House members urging President Trump to set the 2026 Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biomass-based diesel volume at 5.25 billion gallons, with increases in subsequent years. The letter emphasizes benefits such as lower fuel prices, job creation, and support for farmers, while calling for the rejection of small refinery exemptions to maintain demand for biofuels. Read more: https://bit.ly/452yla2
A May 2025 Washington Post article addresses the ongoing debate over seed oils—such as canola, soy, and sunflower—highlighting that while critics argue these oils contribute to health issues due to their processing methods and omega-6 fatty acid content, extensive research indicates they are more likely to be beneficial than harmful. The article emphasizes that concerns about seed oils promoting inflammation or chronic diseases are not supported by current scientific evidence. Instead, the focus should be on overall dietary patterns, as ultra-processed foods, rather than individual ingredients like seed oils, are more closely linked to adverse health outcomes. Read the Washington Post article: 
On May 22, 2025, Clean Fuels Alliance America, representing 48 member companies, submitted a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin advocating for an increase in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) biomass-based diesel volume to at least 5.25 billion gallons for 2026 and 5.75 billion gallons for 2027. The coalition emphasizes that these targets reflect current production capabilities and investments in new capacity, aiming to bolster farm security, create jobs, and advance U.S. energy independence. A recent study highlighted that the biomass-based diesel industry supports over 107,000 jobs and contributes $42.4 billion to the U.S. economy. Learn more: