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: 2026-01-24 to 2026-01-30

📋 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 Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing: USDA Office of Inspector General: The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies will hold a hearing with USDA Inspector General John Walk and senior staff on February 3, 2026, at the Rayburn House Office Building.

Federal Government News

Horse Protection Act Final Rule Further Delayed

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a final rule further postponing the effective date of amendments to the Horse Protection Act regulations. Previously scheduled to go into effect February 1, 2026, the non-vacated provisions are now delayed until December 31, 2026. The delay follows litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, which vacated several rule provisions related to soring detection and inspection criteria, and partially upheld the transition from Designated Qualified Persons (DQPs) to Horse Protection Inspectors (HPIs). APHIS cited complications from a preliminary injunction, insufficient time to train HPIs, and uncertainty generated by appropriations language. As of this notice, reporting requirements impacting shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions of all horse breeds remain postponed. The agency plans further review in light of ongoing judicial and Congressional activity.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Receives Applications for Pesticide Products with New Active Ingredients

The Environmental Protection Agency published notice of applications for registration of pesticide products containing new active ingredients, specifically icafolin-methyl. Bayer CropScience submitted several formulations targeting major crops including canola, cereals, citrus, corn, grapes, pulses, soybeans, and tree nuts. The agency is seeking comments by February 27, 2026. Final regulatory decisions on these applications will follow further public participation and review under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). Stakeholders can access application details via EPA docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2025-2269.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

EPA Reviews Proposed Registration for New Uses of Registered Fungicides

EPA published notice inviting comment on applications to register new uses for currently registered active ingredients inpyrfluxam (Valent U.S.A.) and fluxapyroxad (BASF Corporation). Proposed new crop groups include leafy greens and pennycress. The agency continues to process these applications under the FIFRA public participation framework, with public comments due by February 27, 2026. Updates to crop stewardship, fungicide labeling, and application rates are expected to be considered as part of pending regulatory decisions.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Request for Comments: Revision to Wetland Identification Guidance in NRCS Technical Guide

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced proposed revisions to Section 1 of the Field Office Technical Guide for Kansas, Nebraska, and New Jersey to include State Off-Site Methods for Food Security Act Wetland Identification. The revisions aim to replace or create procedures in these states for determining wetland presence on agricultural land for USDA program eligibility purposes. Formal comments can be submitted by February 27, 2026. Stakeholders are encouraged to compare SOSM documents with existing procedures to assess implications for program compliance.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

White House Launches CE Works Platform for Federal NEPA Review

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) introduced the CE Works pilot, a digital platform for managing categorical exclusion (CE) determinations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Developed with the General Services Administration’s Technology Transformation Services, CE Works digitizes selections, expert collaboration, approvals, and record generation to facilitate more expedient infrastructure and energy project reviews. The Bureau of Land Management’s Moab Field Office is the inaugural partner, with planned expansion to additional federal agencies. The initiative aims to replace manual processes with digital solutions to improve federal permitting workflows.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• USDA targets summer staff relocations: USDA plans staff moves for the upcoming summer field season.
• Climate Solutions News | Today's Latest Stories: Coverage of climate solutions including market trends and mitigation efforts.
• Afghanistan launches $100 million food security programme as crisis deepens: Afghanistan initiates a multi-million dollar programme to address food insecurity.
• Subsidizing the ranchers: Key takeaways from the investigation on grazing subsidies and public land policy.

.