States Support Uniform Labeling for Farming Inputs in Supreme Court Brief

AG: Nebraska News

Filed March 2nd, 2026

Detected March 18th, 2026

Summary

A coalition of 15 states, led by Nebraska, filed an amicus brief in the Supreme Court supporting uniform labeling for farming inputs like glyphosate. The brief argues against state-specific labeling mandates that could disrupt supply chains and threaten farmer access to essential herbicides.

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What changed

Fifteen states, led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers, have filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of uniform labeling requirements for farming inputs, specifically addressing glyphosate. The brief challenges court rulings that mandate warning labels on glyphosate products suggesting carcinogenicity, which contradicts federal conclusions under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. The states argue that such state-specific mandates, exemplified by California's potential actions, threaten to disrupt supply chains, increase costs, and deprive farmers of essential tools, impacting agricultural economies.

This action highlights a significant legal battle over regulatory authority between federal and state governments concerning product labeling, particularly for agricultural chemicals. Regulated entities, especially drug and agricultural input manufacturers, should monitor the outcome of this Supreme Court case as it could establish a precedent for nationwide labeling standards. The brief emphasizes the importance of science-based federal regulation and the potential economic harm to states heavily reliant on agriculture if inconsistent state-level policies are allowed to dictate product labeling and market access.

What to do next

Monitor U.S. Supreme Court decision on uniform labeling for farming inputs.
Assess potential impact of differing state labeling requirements on supply chains and product availability.

Source document (simplified)

Posted Monday, March 2, 2026 LINCOLN — Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers today led a 15-State coalition that filed an amicus brief in the United States Supreme Court to support uniform labeling requirements for critical farming inputs, ensuring farmers have access to glyphosate, one of the safest, most environmentally friendly, and most widely used herbicides on the market.

The case concerns the labeling requirements set by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. For decades, relying on the best-available science, the federal government has repeatedly concluded that glyphosate is “not likely to be carcinogenic to humans.” But some courts have issued rulings that require manufacturers to include a warning label on glyphosate-containing products, suggesting they are carcinogenic or face massive legal liability. This litigation risk threatens to drive manufacturers from the market and deprive Nebraska’s farmers of an essential tool for controlling weeds and maintaining high crop yields.

“The law makes it clear that it is the federal government—and not California—that decides what sort of warning label must appear on glyphosate-containing products,” said Attorney General Hilgers. “Individual States can decide how to regulate glyphosate’s use within their borders, but what they cannot do is impose their policy views on other States via labeling mandates.”

Nebraska’s brief explains that without a uniform nationwide standard, States like California could impose labeling requirements that would increase costs, disrupt supply chains, and ultimately threaten access to glyphosate entirely. It also emphasizes the importance of agriculture to Nebraska’s economy and outlines the harms that would flow if Nebraska’s farmers were forced to use other, often more toxic, herbicides.

Joining Nebraska on the brief were the Attorneys General of Iowa, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah.

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