Supporting America's Ranchers
- Executive Order Number
- 14425
- President
- Donald Trump
- Signed
- September 4, 2026
- Published
- September 10, 2026
- Source
- Federal Register
- Original Document
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-10/pdf/2026-18571.pdf
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This executive order aims to bolster the domestic ranching industry by addressing the national cattle herd’s 75-year low, supporting food security, reducing regulatory burdens, combating livestock predation, and enhancing market access and labeling for American beef producers.
Key actions or directives
- Within 90 days, the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior, the U.S. Trade Representative, the FDA Commissioner, and the SBA Administrator must submit a comprehensive report reviewing all agency regulations, guidance, and policies affecting ranchers, with recommendations to improve financial viability and market access.
- The Secretary of the Interior must determine whether the gray wolf and Mexican wolf meet Endangered Species Act (ESA) recovery criteria for delisting or downlisting and, if so, initiate that process; prepare legislative recommendations for full delisting or downlisting; and coordinate with states to remove these species from state protected lists and adjust lethal-take standards.
- Agencies must update depredation compensation rules, evidentiary standards, and lethal-removal criteria to facilitate faster, more responsive actions against wolf predation on livestock.
- The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, must review authorities for mandatory country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for beef and may issue or amend regulations or propose legislation to implement it.
- All agencies must ensure that actions under the order, to the extent consistent with law, result in lower prices for American consumers.
Significant changes to policy or law
- Directs expedited ESA delisting or downlisting of gray and Mexican wolves, shifting from current federal protections to state management and expanded lethal control options.
- Opens the possibility of new mandatory COOL regulations for beef, reversing prior policy constraints.
- Requires review and potential rollback of existing regulations identified as burdensome to ranchers.
Potential impacts
- Government agencies: Requires coordinated regulatory reviews and possible rule changes by USDA, DOI, USTR, FDA, and SBA within tight timelines.
- Citizens and ranchers: May increase grazing access, reduce predation losses, and improve labeling recognition, while aiming to lower consumer beef prices.
- International relations: Potential new COOL requirements could affect trade dynamics and require coordination with trading partners.
Main stakeholders affected Ranchers and livestock producers; federal agencies (primarily USDA and DOI); state governments; beef consumers; and entities involved in ESA implementation and international trade.
Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications The order directs executive actions under existing statutory authorities (ESA, labeling statutes) but explicitly conditions implementation on “applicable law” and appropriations; it does not create enforceable private rights. Actions on species delisting and new labeling rules may trigger administrative procedures, potential litigation under the ESA or Administrative Procedure Act, and congressional oversight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.