Good morning! This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly roundup of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, fertilizers, ranchers, cattlemen and cattlewomen, as well as their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers in food manufacturing and processing. Every Monday, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Agri-Food? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Freight & Ports and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2025-09-21 to 2025-09-27

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇨🇦 Canadian Federal GR News
• 🇺🇸 US Federal GR News
• 🗺️ Canadian Provincial GR News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Canadian Federal GR News

Canadian Food Inspection Agency Enacts Temporary Ban on Pistachio Imports from Iran in Response to Salmonella Outbreak

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has imposed a temporary restriction on the importation of pistachios and pistachio-derived products from Iran following a Salmonella outbreak that resulted in over 100 confirmed cases nationwide and multiple food recall notices. To comply with new safety measures, importers must provide documentation confirming products are not sourced from Iran, and shipments will undergo Salmonella testing or risk being denied entry. These restrictions apply under Safe Food for Canadians licensing, and enforcement mechanisms will include monetary penalties, suspension or cancellation of licenses, and potential prosecution for noncompliance. The CFIA will sustain these protocols while the Public Health Agency of Canada continues its investigation and additional surveillance of importers.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CFIA Maintains Control Over Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, BC Amid Legal Dispute; H5N1 Confirmed as Novel Reassortment

The CFIA announced ongoing operations at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada, maintaining feed, water, and veterinary oversight of 300–330 ostriches. The Agency reported discovery of a novel reassortment of H5N1, D1.3 genotype—linked genetically to human cases in Ohio—posing elevated pathogenicity and rapid lethality in lab models. Laboratory results confirm migration of this genotype from the Edgewood ostrich farm to U.S. states, directly impacting Canada’s poultry disease status and trade. Disease control decisions, including depopulation mandates, remain upheld in Canadian courts and draw on whole genome sequencing and epidemiology lab analyses. This situation directly affects a $6.8 billion domestic poultry sector and Canada’s $1.75 billion in poultry exports due to international health status requirements under the Health of Animals Act.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Minister MacDonald Announces $75 Million Increase in AgriMarketing Program to Strengthen Export Market Development

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald convened industry representatives in Prince Edward Island to discuss the $75 million augmentation to the AgriMarketing Program over five years beginning in 2026-27, as announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney. National associations in agriculture, fisheries, and seafood will be eligible, and the government may extend eligibility to small and medium-sized enterprises. The program aims to boost export capacity, facilitate market diversification, and decrease barriers domestically and internationally. Further consultations will occur with stakeholders to refine approaches and support market expansion. These measures coincide with federal efforts to reduce trade barriers and enable Canadian producers to access high-growth regions.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca, Announcements: www.canada.ca

Update: CFIA Confirms Avian Influenza D1.3 Genotype Linked to Human Infection in Ohio

Diagnostic work at the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, has confirmed the presence of a previously unreported D1.3 reassortment of H5N1 avian influenza in Edgewood ostriches. The genotype matches strains that have infected poultry workers in Ohio and spread to Missouri, according to genomic epidemiology. Laboratory findings indicate increased pathogenicity compared to the B3.13 genotype from the U.S. dairy cow outbreak, underscoring the urgency of depopulating exposed birds and decontaminating facilities. Scientific support for the stamping out policy has been reiterated by federal courts and peer analysis.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

CIHR Launches $20 Million Investment in National Pandemic Surveillance and Response Capacity

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced $20 million for seven research platforms through the Centre for Research on Pandemic Preparedness and Health Emergencies. Projects will expand national surveillance infrastructure, data sharing, and diagnostics, targeting improved response to emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza. Priority activities include supporting high-risk groups in rural and remote regions and informing evidence-based immunization and public health strategies for enhanced industry and community resilience.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Government Expands Support for Industry-Higher Education Work-Integrated Learning Through BHER

Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly announced new federal support for the Business + Higher Education Roundtable, building on the creation of 22,300 work-integrated learning placements from 2022–2025. By March 2028, the partnership aims for 8,000 additional student placements and direct engagement with 2,500 more private employers, including focused expansion within francophone communities. The initiative is intended to foster workforce-readiness and facilitate labor market access for industry-aligned skills development.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

NRC IRAP and Innovate BC Announce $1.5 Million for 11 B.C. Cleantech Pilot Projects

National Research Council Canada and Innovate BC will fund 11 small and medium-sized enterprises through the BC Fast Pilot program to scale clean technologies, totaling $1.5 million. The pilot initiative will allow agri-tech businesses to validate new products under real-world conditions, mitigating risks for traditional industries adopting new technologies, and may encourage broader customer adoption and competitive growth in B.C.’s cleantech and agri-food sector.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Natural Resources Canada Commits $1.44 Million to Ten Global Forest Leadership Projects

Minister Tim Hodgson announced investments through the Global Forest Leadership Program and International Model Forest Network, allocating funds to initiatives in Morocco, Cameroon, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and India. Projects will advance agroforestry, habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation, and capacity-building, emphasizing development of next-generation curricula, promotion of sustainable livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada Opens Phase 1 Consultation on PFAS Risk Management

A new public consultation has opened on Phase 1 risk management for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), excluding fluoropolymers, pending addition to Part 2 of Schedule 1 under CEPA. The proposal targets remaining PFAS uses in products such as firefighting foams, textiles, ski waxes, and food packaging, with affected stakeholders invited to submit comments until November 25, 2025. The federal government has outlined a phased regulatory approach and published updated drinking water objectives and fertilizer standards for PFAS. Recent additions to the National Pollutant Release Inventory also support expanded data collection on PFAS emissions and environmental exposures.

Sources: Announcements: www.canada.ca

Employment Insurance Beneficiaries in Rural and Small Towns Data Now Updated for July Reference Period

Statistics Canada has updated its Employment Insurance Beneficiaries dashboard, covering the July 2025 reference period for rural and small town regions, potentially impacting labor availability and workforce planning in agricultural sectors.

Sources: Open Government Data Set: www.statcan.gc.ca

US Federal GR News

USDA Issues Proposed Rule Revising SNAP Staple Food Stocking Standards

The Food and Nutrition Service published a proposed rule raising the minimum staple food varieties required for SNAP retailer authorization from three to seven per category, with perishable requirements increased to three staple food categories. The rule codifies new criteria distinguishing staple foods from accessory items and outlines variety frameworks by ingredient type, such as raw grains, flour, and distinct subgroups in dairy and protein categories. Small-format retailers are expected to incur an average first-year compliance cost of $262 per store, with Federal impact costs estimated at $4 million in FY2027. Comments are due by November 24, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Foreign Agricultural Service Invokes Special Safeguard Duty on Imports of Blended Syrups After Exceeding Annual Trigger Level

The Foreign Agricultural Service announced that imports of blended syrups exceeded the special safeguard trigger of 758 metric tons under WTO agreements, prompting additional tariffs ranging from 5.6 to 23.5 cents/kg, varying by product classification. These tariffs apply until September 30, 2025, and exclude goods from Canada, Mexico, and other listed trading partners. Safeguard measures are automatic upon publication and may influence cross-border trade, especially in sweetener-containing agricultural products.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Proposes Streamlined Permits for Movement and Importation of Animals and Animal Products

APHIS announced intent to introduce a consolidated information collection for permits tied to live animal and animal product movement and imports. Stakeholder burden is estimated at 84,286 hours annually for 12,838 respondents. Data will include species type, shipment documentation, cleaning/disinfection certifications, and transport compliance, intended to strengthen animal disease surveillance and control per recent updates to regulation under 9 CFR. Comments are due by November 25, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Final Rule: USDA Increases Assessment Rate for Idaho-Eastern Oregon Potatoes

The Agricultural Marketing Service finalized an assessment rate hike for Idaho-Eastern Oregon potatoes from $0.002 to $0.003 per hundredweight, effective October 22, 2025. Estimated 2024–25 shipments of 34 million hundredweight will generate approximately $102,000 in assessment revenues, with funds directed to administrative, operational, audit, and compliance expenditures. The rate change is intended to fully fund budgeted committee expenses and replenish industry reserves depleted in previous years.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Requests Comments on Food Facility Registration Compliance under Bioterrorism Act

FDA reopened its request for comments regarding facility registration requirements for domestic and foreign entities manufacturing or processing food for U.S. markets. Recent years show a substantial increase in foreign registrations, with annual reporting and renewal requirements supporting enforcement and facilitating rapid notification in the event of food supply emergencies. Total annual reporting burden is calculated at 361,775 hours for 260,805 responses. Comments are open until October 27, 2025.

Sources: U.S. Federal Announcements: www.federalregister.gov

Canadian Provincial GR News

Waterloo Man Fined $1,000 for Noncompliance with Ante-Mortem Inspection Rules

Fred Becker of Waterloo, Ontario was convicted for failing to present a food animal for ante-mortem inspection prior to slaughter, in violation of provincial regulations under the Food Safety and Quality Act, with penalties totaling $1,250.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Shuniah-Area Resident Convicted for Operating Unlicensed Fish Plant

Paul Drombolis received a $1,562 penalty for operating an unlicensed fish processing facility and selling vacuum-sealed fillets to entities other than consumers, in contravention of the Food Safety and Quality Act.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Fines Two Individuals $2,400 for Deer Removal Authorization Violations

Frederick Hansma and Adam Wright of Renfrew and Greater Madawaska, Ontario pleaded guilty to providing false information and failing to comply with reporting under a deer removal authorization related to an apple orchard.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: news.ontario.ca

Alberta Equipment Dealership Penalized $108,000 for Workplace Injury Incident

George’s Farm Centre Ltd. in Lacombe County, Alberta was fined $108,000 after a worker was seriously injured during air seeder tank operations. The creative sentencing directs funds towards hazard-recognition workplace simulation software development.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.alberta.ca

Public Meeting Set for Beekeepers of Quebec Association Accreditation

The Quebec Agricultural and Food Markets Board announced a public consultation for accrediting Beekeepers of Quebec under the Marketing of Agricultural, Food and Fishing Products Act on December 16, 2025.

Sources: Provincial Announcement: www.quebec.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• New report says proactive risk management is the key to unlock Canadian agriculture’s future: Industry leaders review recommendations for future-proofing risk management.
• Protein Industries Canada announces five projects aimed at strengthening Canadian food supply chain: New supply chain initiatives detailed for plant-based foods.
• $12B in food and drink exports could be shifted away from U.S.: Farm Credit Canada: Analysis of trade diversification trends.
• New strategy to diversify Canadian food exports: TV coverage explores policy tools for export diversification.
• Meet the migrant workers Canadian farmers depend on to harvest their crops: Feature on farm labor and seasonal workforce challenges.
• Celebrating Alberta’s organic farmers: TV segment highlights organic initiatives in Alberta.
• TOP OFTHE FOOD CHAIN: Magazine feature traces current trends in food sector leadership.
• Ottawa city council approves plan to develop food security strategy: City council's roadmap for local food security adopted.
• KIRIN Develops Technology to Enhance Heat and Drought Tolerance in Hop Seedlings Contributing to a Sustainable Supply of Beer Ingredients Amid Climate Change: International R&D efforts address crop resilience issues.
• New report says proactive risk management is the key to unlock Canadian agriculture's future: Risk mitigation practices analyzed in sector report.

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