July 05, 2026 to July 11, 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
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Natural Resources Committee Markup — Water, Conservation, Animal Imports, and Watershed Bills: The House Natural Resources Committee will meet July 15 to mark up bills concerning water rights, conservation, animal imports, and watershed research, including H.R. 726, H.R. 2827, and H.R. 6893.

Federal Government News

Final Rule Implements OBBBA: Supplemental Disaster Assistance, Marketing Assistance Loans, and Sugar Program

The USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation released a final rule effective July 9, revising disaster and loan programs under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. ELAP now covers bird depredation losses and sets a fixed 15% honeybee mortality rate, while LFP eligibility is expanded with a lower drought threshold (four consecutive weeks of D2, with additional provisions for longer droughts on grazing land). LIP addresses unborn livestock death losses, compensates predation at full market value, and incorporates a producer's alternative price for payments, capped at 145% of national averages. TAP thresholds are lowered and reimbursement rates increased to 65%. MAL and LDP see raised loan rates across all eligible crops for 2026-2031. Cotton-related updates revise world market price formulas and storage payments, and sugar program changes set new loan rates, storage rates, and marketing allocation procedures. Feedstock Flexibility Program extended through 2026. Data reporting revisions, technical corrections for grains and honey, and adjustments for eligibility and payment calculations also take effect.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Organic Certification Cost Share Program: OCCSP Funding and Application Details

The Commodity Credit Corporation issued a rule on July 6, establishing OCCSP funding for fiscal years 2025-2031. State agencies may apply for grant funding via Grants.gov. Producers and handlers certified under the National Organic Program may apply for OCCSP via FSA county offices or participating State agencies. Allowable costs include certification application, inspection, user, and state program fees, with reimbursement up to 75% ($750 per scope) per year. AMA and National funding apply by scope and geography, and the application deadline for the 2025/2026 program years is December 31, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Revisions to Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Loan Program

Rural Business-Cooperative Service amended Section 9003 rules effective July 9, strengthening oversight of $250 million biorefinery loan guarantees. Borrowers and guarantors who result in monetary loss to the Agency are barred from further project involvement. Section 4287.345 prohibits write-downs if ownership control remains post-default, unless ordered under bankruptcy. Section 4287.358(h) restricts continued project involvement for borrowers/guarantors following Agency losses, closing loopholes on government-backed debt reductions. The rule covers civil rights compliance and includes severability provisions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Receives Applications for New Pesticide Product Uses (April 2026)

EPA announced receipt of pesticide registration applications for new uses of currently registered active ingredients. Syngenta seeks expanded use of cyclobutrifluram; Bayer proposes bromoxynil for rapeseed and pulse crops; IR-4 requests cycloate for quinoa. Public comments are open until August 5, with details provided online via regulations.gov. Receipt does not indicate approval.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

APHIS Pest Reporting and Asian Longhorn Beetle Program: Extension Request for Information Collection

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is seeking a three-year extension for information collection covering pest reporting and the Asian Longhorned Beetle Program. The notice covers reporting by individuals, businesses, and state officials, including online pest reporting, homeowner agreements and permits, and program recordkeeping. Annual respondent hours are estimated at 85,999. Comments are due by September 8.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Legislative Updates

Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026

Bill 9593, Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The bill aims to address the use of PFAS in food containers, potentially impacting food packaging and safety standards.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion | Trump’s exploding farm subsidies: The piece evaluates trends in federal farm subsidies under recent policy changes.
• Specialty farmers adapt harvests, protect crops in face of extreme heat: Specialty crop producers adjust harvest timing and manage crops amid extreme heat events.
• The Iran War threatened a food crisis. The next Gulf conflict could do the same.: Analysis of fertilizer supply risks linked to Middle Eastern conflicts affecting global food security.
• How to stay safe and still enjoy produce this summer with the outbreak of diarrhea-causing parasite: AP covers produce safety tips amid Cyclospora outbreak in US produce supply.
• People have been fermenting food for millennia. Here's why more people are focused on gut health now: The story examines rising consumer interest in fermentation and microbiome research.
• 70% of parents worry about cost of food. Where is Congress? | Opinion: Opinion reviewing concerns tied to SNAP benefit cuts and summer food inflation.
• Trump administration expands 'Product of USA' label as push for American-raised beef grows: Fox News reports on expanded 'Product of USA' labeling for beef by the Trump administration.

.