CFTC opens first 2026 Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting in Washington

By Atlas Watchline Staff · Regulatory · August 2, 2026

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission opened its first Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting of 2026 in Washington with remarks from Chairman Michael S. Selig, Sen. Tommy Tuberville and committee chair Ed Prosser.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission held the first 2026 meeting of its Agricultural Advisory Committee in Washington on Wednesday, with Chairman Michael S. Selig opening the session and delivering remarks, according to a CFTC press release.

The committee heard updates on banking rules, market structure and risk tools that affect agricultural end users, including farmers, ranchers and commodity groups that use futures markets to manage price swings.

What the committee discussed

According to the CFTC, the agenda included the Basel III proposal, risk management tools for agricultural end users, 24/7 trading and emerging markets, and recent CFTC activity in the agricultural industry.

At 1:20 p.m. ET, representatives from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation presented on the Basel III proposal. At 1:45 p.m. ET, CFTC Division of Data Director Jessica Harris presented on the Commitments of Traders report.

At 2:05 p.m. ET, AAC Chairman Ed Prosser convened a panel on possible gaps in risk management tools for agricultural end users. The panel included representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and AAC members from the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the National Corn Growers Association.

At 3:10 p.m. ET, AAC member Liam Smith, who represents PTG, presented on perpetual futures’ funding rate mechanism. The meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Background

The CFTC said the meeting was the committee’s first of the year. The release also said Selig quoted President Reagan on government, regulation and innovation, and said he hopes those words continue to ring true during his chairmanship.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also addressed the committee. According to the release, he said: “Don’t let your problems go unsolved because they can be solved up here… Let’s make farming better. Let’s give the farmers a chance.”

Prosser said the committee can examine how new technology may improve market efficiencies. He also said market structures designed for different commodities may not help, and may hurt, current market efficiencies.

What happens next

The CFTC release did not list any votes or formal actions from the meeting. It said the committee discussed the issues during the session and closed at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Sources

• CFTC press release on the Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting

Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.

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