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 & Transport and Oil & Gas.

Dates: 2026-01-17 to 2026-01-23

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• Senate Agriculture Committee Business Meeting on Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee is scheduled to hold a business meeting to consider the original bill titled "Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act" on January 29, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in Russell Senate Office Building 328A.

Federal Government News

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Seeks Extension of National Poultry Improvement Plan Data Collection

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice requesting revision and extension of approval for National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) information collection. The NPIP program, administered under the Animal Health Protection Act, aims to safeguard U.S. poultry health through voluntary disease control strategies implemented by flock owners, breeders, and hatchery operators. The revised information collection reflects correction of previously miscounted reporting respondents, with a total estimated annual burden of 110,738 hours for 4,555 respondents and 234,529 responses. NPIP activities impacted include flock testing, sales reporting, salmonella surveillance, and hatchery inspection, among others. Comments are due by March 23, 2026, and APHIS will use feedback for its request to the Office of Management and Budget.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production Grants: Data Collection Revision Announced by USDA

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service issued a notice seeking public comment on revisions to the information collection for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (UAIP) grants. The Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production will use a revised NRCS-OUAIP-1 reporting form to standardize program reporting across local governments, school districts, and tribal communities. The estimated burden for respondents is now 400 hours annually, with 100 respondents and 1,800 total responses, a decrease from previous tabulation errors. The change aligns with program adjustments and reductions in new agreements and funding opportunities. Comments are requested by March 23, 2026, via federal eRulemaking portal or direct submission.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Requests Comments on Gluten Labeling and Cross-Contact for Packaged Foods

The Food and Drug Administration announced a request for public comment on possible rule changes regarding the labeling of gluten-containing ingredients and cross-contact controls in packaged foods. The notice is a response to a citizen petition from Celiac Journey advocating for mandatory disclosure of gluten-containing grains and stricter handling standards. The FDA is seeking data on prevalence and severity of allergic reactions to rye, barley, oats, and their derivatives, as well as input on current undisclosed ingredient situations, consumer experiences, and challenges if new requirements were introduced. Comments and scientific data are due by March 23, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Council on Environmental Quality Releases Guidance for Emergency NEPA Actions

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published new guidance for federal agencies on responding to emergencies while remaining compliant with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. The guidance covers emergencies such as wildfires, disease outbreaks, and species threats, detailing step-by-step processes for agencies to use NEPA tools in time-sensitive scenarios. CEQ Chairman Katherine Scarlett described the approach as ensuring prompt action with appropriate legal and environmental oversight. The guidance is intended to facilitate agency decisions in line with Administration priorities during emergencies.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Labor Department Issues Update to Range Occupation Wage Rate for H-2A Agricultural Workers

The Employment and Training Administration at the Department of Labor announced an updated Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for temporary or seasonal H-2A nonimmigrant workers in range occupations. Effective February 3, 2026, employers must pay H-2A range workers at least $2,132.41 per month, up from the previous $2,058.31, reflecting a 3.6 percent adjustment in the Employment Cost Index for private industry wages and salaries. The revision is mandated under established regulatory methodology and is intended to maintain wage protections for U.S. workers in corresponding employment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

House Considers New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act

H.R. 161, the New Source Review Permitting Improvement Act, was ordered to be reported (amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28-23 in the House. The legislation falls under the Environmental Protection policy area and advances to the next stage after committee action.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Weekly Agriculture: Politico reviews recent regulatory and industry trends in U.S. agri-food markets.
• Russia wants to boost agriculture exports through processing ventures abroad: Reuters details Russian plans for expanding agricultural export value via overseas processing ventures.
• BPI still seeking compost rulemaking at USDA: BPI continues efforts to push for USDA rulemaking on organic compost certification.

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