Syngenta Highlights Key Agricultural Policy Issues Shaping U.S. Farming
Strong agricultural policy and effective regulatory oversight remain critical to the success of U.S. agricultural production. Earlier this year, we caught up with Val Dolcini, Head of Public Affairs North America with Syngenta, to discuss the federal ag policy issues the company is closely monitoring and why they matter for farmers.
Dolcini noted that even without a new farm bill, federal activity impacting agriculture has remained intense. “You know 2025 I’ll just start by saying that it’s been a pretty busy year on the federal farm policy front despite the fact that Congress hasn’t passed a farm bill in seven years,” he said.
One of the most significant developments was legislation passed outside of the traditional farm bill process. “The one big beautiful bill, the reconciliation bill that the president signed in July contained a lot of provisions that would have otherwise ended up in a farm bill things like changes to ARC PLC and crop insurance and disaster assistance and conservation issues,” Dolcini explained. These provisions directly affect risk management tools and safety nets that producers rely on year after year.
He also pointed to recent action taken to keep existing programs running. “In addition the bill that just reopened the government extended the remaining programs of the farm bill through September 30 of next year but that’s just one of the issues that impact the agricultural industry.” While the extension provides short-term certainty, it also highlights the continued uncertainty surrounding long-term farm policy.
Beyond farm bill discussions, Dolcini emphasized Syngenta’s focus on ensuring farmers have access to the tools they need to remain productive and competitive. “At Syngenta we’re all about having the freedom to operate that supports American farmers and ensures that the toolbox is as full as we can make it for farmers whether it’s seeds or crop protection tools,” he said.
Central to that goal is a well-functioning regulatory system. “And to do that we need a fully functioning EPA. We need an EPA that has a streamlined regulatory process,” Dolcini noted. Regulatory efficiency, he said, is essential for bringing new technologies and innovations to farmers in a timely manner.
Dolcini expressed optimism about recent progress at the agency. “And I think that what the administration has done since it took office in January is is a good direction,” he said. “You know there have been a lot of improvements over at EPA and we want to see those continue.”
As policymakers debate the future of farm legislation and regulatory frameworks, Syngenta continues to monitor developments closely. The company says predictable policy, science-based regulation, and a strong EPA are all essential to supporting American farmers and maintaining a resilient agricultural system.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.