Executive Order Signals Federal Support for Phosphorus and Glyphosate Supply Chains
On February 18, 2026, the White House issued an Executive Order titled “Promoting the National Defense by Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Elemental Phosphorus and Glyphosate Based Herbicides.” While framed as a national security measure, the order has clear implications for agriculture and the fertilizer industry.
Why This Matters
The administration formally identified elemental phosphorus and glyphosate based herbicides as materials critical to national defense and food security.
Elemental phosphorus is a foundational industrial material used in defense technologies, electronics, battery chemistries, and agricultural chemistry. Glyphosate-based herbicides remain among the most widely used crop protection tools in United States agriculture, supporting efficient weed control and stable crop production.
By linking these materials to defense readiness and food supply stability, the order elevates their strategic importance at the federal level.
Defense Production Act Authority
The Executive Order invokes the Defense Production Act, a law that allows the federal government to:
• Prioritize government contracts for critical materials
• Allocate industrial capacity if needed
• Support expansion of domestic manufacturing
Under this authority, federal agencies including USDA may take steps to ensure adequate domestic production capacity and supply chain stability for these materials.
What the Order Does and Does Not Do
The order focuses on supply chain security. It is not a regulatory action affecting product registration, labeling, or Environmental Protection Agency safety reviews. Existing environmental and health oversight processes remain unchanged.
Instead, the directive signals federal support for strengthening domestic production and reducing vulnerability to supply disruptions.
Implications for Illinois Agriculture
For retailers, fertilizer suppliers, and crop protection providers, the Executive Order reinforces the federal government’s recognition that agricultural inputs are part of the nation’s critical infrastructure.
In practical terms, this may:
• Increase federal attention on domestic phosphorus production capacity
• Support long term stability in glyphosate supply chains
• Reinforce agriculture’s role in national security policy discussions
IFCA will continue monitoring implementation steps tied to this order and will provide updates if specific agency actions affect production, supply, or regulatory considerations.