May 24, 2026 to May 30, 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

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

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Rules Committee Meeting: Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations, 2027: The House Rules Committee will convene on June 2, 2026, at Capitol H-313 to discuss H.R. 8646—Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027.
• House Agriculture Committee Hearing: Testimony from Secretary Brooke Rollins: On June 4, 2026, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a hearing at Longworth House Office Building, room 1300, with Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture, scheduled to testify.
• Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee Hearing: Oversight of the U.S. Forest Service: The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee will conduct an open hearing on June 2, 2026, in Dirksen Senate Office Building, room 106, focused on oversight of the U.S. Forest Service.

Federal Government News

EPA Final Rule: Tolerance Exemptions for Bacillus Thuringiensis Cry1B.34.1, Cry1B.61.1, and Adiantum Trapeziforme IPD083Cb Proteins

The Environmental Protection Agency issued a final rule granting tolerance exemptions for residues of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1B.34.1, Cry1B.61.1, and Adiantum trapeziforme var. braziliense IPD083Cb proteins in food and feed when used as plant-incorporated protectants. Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. petitioned EPA to eliminate maximum permissible levels for these proteins, which are intended to control lepidopteran pests in crops such as soybean and maize. EPA's risk assessment determined these proteins exhibit negligible toxicity and allergenic potential in mammalian systems, and resistance to transfer to non-target species is considered unlikely based on environmental studies. The rule is effective May 29, 2026; stakeholders may submit objections or requests for a hearing until July 28, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Establishes New Pesticide Tolerances for Propylene Oxide

The Environmental Protection Agency set tolerances for residues of propylene oxide in or on sesame seed, dried turmeric roots, dried ginger, dried bell pepper, and dried non-bell pepper at 300 ppm. ABERCO, Inc. petitioned for these new limits, and EPA's aggregate risk assessments for both propylene oxide and its reaction product propylene chlorohydrin supported their safety. The rule clarifies that only propylene oxide tolerances are needed for enforcement, with propylene chlorohydrin tolerances withdrawn. EPA determined there are no dietary cancer risks associated with the permitted levels. The regulation is effective May 29, 2026, and is open for public comment until July 28.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Requests Comment on Area Risk Protection Insurance Information Collection Revision

The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, part of USDA, announced a request for revision and extension of approval concerning Area Risk Protection Insurance (ARPI) information collection. ARPI covers insurance based on county-level experience; producers must report acreage and yields. Insurance providers compute liability, premiums, subsidies, and indemnities based on this data. The public burden is estimated at 0.62 hours per response, involving approximately 14,755 respondents and 91,100 annual responses. The comment period remains open until July 28, 2026, with applications and feedback accepted online.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Renewal: Information Collection for Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease Import Restrictions

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service issued a notice of request for revision and extension of approval for information collection related to import restrictions on birds and poultry products due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and Newcastle disease. The collection encompasses permit applications, quarantine requirements, and notification of signs of disease in imported birds. Respondents include foreign federal officials, U.S. importers, and owners of pet and performing birds. Estimated annual burden is 6,334 hours across 5,100 respondents. Public comment is invited before July 27, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Rescinds Off-Road Vehicle Restrictions on Federal Lands

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on May 29, 2026, rescinding Executive Orders 11644 and 11989, which had regulated off-road vehicle use on federal lands. The administration argued these orders, dating from 1972 and 1977, imposed ambiguous criteria and hindered management flexibility. The new directive points to existing statutory frameworks—including the National Environmental Policy Act and Federal Land Policy and Management Act—as sufficient. Federal agencies are instructed to update or rescind regulations related to the old orders, aiming to facilitate energy production, recreation, timber harvesting, and local access.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov, www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Florida’s famed agriculture industry faces bumper crop of natural disasters: Florida’s agriculture sector contends with multiple recent storms and challenges for citrus growers.
• Rotisserie chicken: New SNAP staple?: SNAP recipients may soon find rotisserie chicken available as an eligible item under expanded program rules.
• Opinion | This Is Why Your Groceries Are So Expensive: Analysis attributes high grocery prices to consolidation and alleged price-fixing in the U.S. food industry.
• Bayer sued for allegedly monopolizing US market for GMO corn seeds: Bayer faces litigation on claims it has monopolized the U.S. GMO corn seed market.

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