May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news for farmers, seed-growers, ranchers and their upstream suppliers and downstream buyers. Once a week, 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. Also consider subscribing to our Agri-Food - Ottawa edition covering critical GR news north of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🇺🇸 Federal Government News
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

BLM Issues Proposed Rule to Revise Grazing Administration Regulations

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposed significant updates to its grazing administration regulations, including new rules on land health management and procedures for administrative appeals. The draft rule details revised requirements for rangeland health evaluations, rapid landscape assessments, and expanded authorities for adjusting grazing permits. Notable changes include a shift in stakeholder engagement protocols, modifications to consultation requirements with permittees and interested publics, and a focus on production-oriented livestock. Comment submissions on the rule are due by July 13, 2026, with the information collection period closing on June 11, 2026. The proposal also outlines procedural compliance under NEPA, E.O. 12866, and includes a regulatory flexibility analysis for small entities. The BLM requests public input on various aspects of the proposed regulatory regime.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Issues RFI on Regulation of Modified Organisms under Plant Protection Act

The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a Request for Information soliciting views on regulatory approaches for reviewing genetically engineered (GE) organisms under the Plant Protection Act. The department seeks comment on risk-based deregulation criteria, alternative frameworks, regulatory burdens for small entities, and experiences under both prior and current regulations. This RFI follows the court-ordered vacatur of the 2020 SECURE rule, restoring pre-2020 GE organism oversight, and directs attention to aligned agency responsibilities under the Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology. Comments are due by June 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Revision of Seven U.S. Grade Standards for Canned Tomato Products Finalized

The Agricultural Marketing Service finalized revisions to seven U.S. grade standards for canned tomato products, effective June 12, 2026. Updates include modernization of color section references, adoption of single-term nomenclature for grade labels, addition of new tables on drained weights, and replacing the term 'catsup' with 'ketchup' for consumer clarity. Industry comments supported nomenclature changes and consolidation of grade terms, while AMS clarified that these revisions are voluntary and implementation costs for small and midsize producers are expected to be negligible. The revised standards are available online through AMS.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Notice of Request for Revision and Extension: Import Restrictions on Live Poultry and Poultry Products

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a request for public comment regarding revisions to information collection associated with regulations on the importation of live poultry, poultry meat, and other poultry products from certain regions at risk for highly pathogenic avian influenza and other diseases. The notice details documentation and certification requirements for imports, including health certificates and cooperative service agreements, and estimates annual industry compliance burden at 74,653 hours across 4,272 respondents. Comments are due by July 13, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Signs S.98 'Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025' and S.1020 into Law

On May 11, 2026, the President signed S. 98, which instructs the FCC to implement a vetting process for broadband network funding recipients, and S. 1020, which grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission additional discretion to extend hydropower project deadlines. While primarily focused on telecommunications and energy infrastructure, these laws may have peripheral relevance to ag-related rural connectivity and future ag processing development initiatives.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026

S. 4483 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. The bill seeks to expand access to local food systems, with potential implications for market development and supply chain programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

A resolution supporting designation of May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day"

S. 727 was introduced to support industry mental health initiatives, including recognition of industry stressors and stigma reduction. The resolution was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Feed Our Kids Act of 2026

H.R. 8728 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. The legislation addresses childhood nutrition and food security, with provisions that may impact School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To require the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into memoranda of understanding with CFIUS on AFIDA reports and update the AFIDA handbook

H.R. 8722 was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture. The bill’s focus is coordination between USDA and CFIUS regarding foreign agricultural land ownership disclosures and procedural handbook updates.

Sources: www.congress.gov

To amend the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act to exclude crops used to produce biofuel with respect to an agricultural commodity

H.R. 8762 was referred to House Agriculture. The measure proposes changes regarding eligibility of certain crops for CCC-supported payments when designated for biofuel use.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Farmers growing desperate amid rising energy and fertilizer prices: Axios covers growers' concerns as input costs surge, impacting crop margins and planting decisions.
• E15 dreams: Politico examines ongoing debate over year-round E15 approval and its implications for corn and ethanol markets.
• Trump delays order to boost beef imports and calm prices, Wall Street Journal reports: Reuters reports the administration has postponed executive action targeting volatile beef prices and domestic herd rebuilding.
• China renews expired export licenses for US beef plants, Chinese customs website shows: Reuters notes that Chinese officials have extended export licenses for U.S. beef facilities amid shifting trade dynamics.
• China renews, then halts licenses for hundreds of US beef exporters amid Trump-Xi summit: Reuters tracks rapid changes in licensing for U.S. beef exporters, coinciding with high-level talks between the U.S. and China.
• An Ethanol Extortion Play: The Wall Street Journal analyzes policy maneuvers involving renewable fuel mandates and the Farm Bill.
• FDA Policies: Rigorous Science or Roadblocks?: Wall Street Journal editorials consider whether regulatory actions at FDA are advancing food innovation or creating hurdles.
• New Zealand state farming goes bush in support of nature credit market: Reuters details efforts in New Zealand to launch a state-sponsored nature credit scheme aiming to monetize land conservation.

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