July 12, 2026 to July 18, 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

• Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Business Meeting: The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee will conduct a business meeting on July 22 at 2:00 pm (ET) to consider bills including 'Making America's Food Safer Act', drug price transparency, insulin pricing, regulatory changes to drug labeling and compounding, and national health workforce programs, in Dirksen Senate Office Building 430.

Federal Government News

USDA Requests Comments on Meat and Poultry Technology and Nutrition Labeling Procedures

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) submitted two information collection requests to the Office of Management and Budget for review. One request concerns procedures related to the notification and review of new technologies for use in meat, poultry, and egg product establishments, including protocols for in-plant trials when deemed necessary. The second request pertains to nutrition labeling for major cuts of single-ingredient, raw meat and poultry products as well as ground or chopped products, ensuring consistency with processed product labeling requirements. FSIS estimates 210 respondents for the technology notification with a burden of 12,800 hours, and 76,439 respondents for nutrition labeling with a burden of 67,861 hours. Stakeholders in affected industries may provide written comments by August 17, 2026, via www.reginfo.gov.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Submits Chronic Wasting Disease Control Program for Comment

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requested public input on its information collection regarding the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Herd Certification Program, which targets disease prevention and control in captive cervid herds. Participation requires animal identification, disease testing, management protocols, and recordkeeping, with requirements also in place for interstate movements to minimize disease spread. APHIS reports 1,588 respondents and an estimated burden of 162,510 hours. The submission seeks industry feedback on program utility and data methodology, with responses due by August 17, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Export Fruit Acts: Renewal of Recordkeeping Requirements for Apple and Grape Shipments

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service issued a notice to renew recordkeeping burdens under the Export Fruit Acts for exports of apples and grapes. All shipments must be officially inspected and certified via an 'Export Form Certificate' (SC-205), retained by exporters for compliance verification. The collection applies to 200 respondents with approximately 90,000 annual responses and a total annual burden of 9,750 hours. Feedback regarding collection necessity, accuracy, and burden is solicited by September 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Invites Comments on Quarantine and Interstate Movement Regulations Relating to Citrus Canker, Citrus Greening, and Asian Citrus Psyllid

APHIS announced intent to revise and extend approval for an information collection governing the movement of regulated citrus articles between quarantined and noninfested areas. Procedures include labeling, recordkeeping, and appeal processes for compliance agreements. Several forms have been transferred to a separate PPQ Permit collection, reducing respondent numbers to 593, with an annual burden of 325,201 hours and nearly 10 million responses. Industry and public comments are due by September 14, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump Modifies Utah National Monuments and Issues Regulatory Relief for Chemical Manufacturing

President Trump issued proclamations on July 13 reducing the Grand Staircase-Escalante and Bears Ears National Monuments to 181,541 acres and 121,096 acres, respectively. The new boundaries prioritize management of historic and scientific sites and reopen previously protected lands for public access, mineral leasing, grazing, and recreation. The Bears Ears Commission is disbanded, and a new management plan is to be developed. Separately, Trump granted a two-year regulatory relief exemption for specific chemical manufacturing facilities under EPA’s HON Rule, citing technological constraints and supply chain concerns. Both actions are justified by national security and federal statutory requirements, and affected parties should review the full proclamations for compliance implications.

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

Legislative Updates

Meatpacking Competition Bill Targets Market Power Reduction

Bill 9744 aims to reduce concentration and market power in the meatpacking industry and lower consumer prices. It was referred to multiple committees, including Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Small Business, and Agriculture, for review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

SAFE CATTLE Act Advances to House Subcommittee

Bill 7466, the SAFE CATTLE Act, was referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries. The bill focuses on cattle health and safety within agricultural operations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Organic Farm Program Bill Introduced in Senate

Bill 4951, titled 'Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act', was read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry for further consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Regulate Market Concentration in Food and Agriculture

Bill 4996 seeks to regulate market concentration and competition within the food and agriculture industry. The bill was read twice and sent to the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Bill to Protect Agricultural Workers Moves to HELP Committee

Bill 4995 provides for the protection of agricultural workers and was read twice, referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Taylor Farms launches recall in 27 states after iceberg lettuce tied to outbreak: Taylor Farms recalls iceberg lettuce across 27 states following a cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to produce from Mexico.
• Cyclospora Investigation Turns to Farms in Mexico: US agencies trace a cyclosporiasis outbreak to farms in Mexico supplying lettuce for fast-food chains.
• Nigeria launches $500 million farm fund to drive food security: Nigeria announces a $500 million fund aimed at boosting farm productivity and national food security.
• The part of the cyclosporiasis outbreak no one is talking about | Opinion: US columnist discusses tracking challenges for cyclosporiasis outbreaks tied to contaminated produce.
• Heavier cattle, more markets: Argentine ranchers target beef exports: Argentine ranchers increase cattle weight and expand global beef export destinations.
• Taylor Farms removes iceberg lettuce sourced from Mexico amid diarrhea outbreak: Taylor Farms withdraws Mexican-produced iceberg lettuce from US markets following diarrheal illness outbreak.
• In US West, drought pits farms against towns, industry in scramble for water: Severe drought intensifies water competition between farms, towns, and industry in the US West.
• Big grain crops mask shrinking margin for error: Recent US grain harvests are strong but leave the industry with a reduced margin for operational risks.

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