August 16, 2026 to August 22, 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

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

Federal Government News

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF ADDITIONAL DUTIES TO OFFSET CANADIAN DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, DAIRY, AND MOTOR VEHICLES

President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation on August 18, 2026, temporarily suspending additional duties established on Canadian imports of alcoholic beverages, dairy, and motor vehicles. The suspension, lasting until August 22, 2026, follows new commitments from Canada regarding trade restrictions on U.S. cheeses, beverage imports, and motor vehicle tariffs. Agencies were directed to halt or refund duties and update the Harmonized Tariff Schedule where appropriate. The action supersedes inconsistent provisions in prior proclamations and executive orders.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Cypermethrin; Pesticide Tolerance(s)

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a new tolerance for cypermethrin residues in cacao, dried bean at 0.05 ppm, effective August 20, 2026. The tolerance applies to cacao beans based on a petition from the National Confectioners Association. EPA noted there are currently no U.S. registrations for cypermethrin use on cacao. Analytical enforcement methods, including gas chromatography, are available for monitoring compliance. No Codex or Canadian maximum residue limits for cacao bean have been established.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Carboxin; Pesticide Tolerances

EPA finalized new tolerances for carboxin residues in vegetable, legume, forage and hay (except soybeans) at 2 ppm, vegetable, legume, pulse, bean dried shelled (except soybean) at 0.2 ppm, and vegetable, legume, pulse, pea dried shelled at 0.2 ppm. The previous tolerance for dry bean, seed is removed, as the commodity is now included under the new subgroup. The regulation, effective August 21, 2026, is based on a petition by UPL Delaware Inc. EPA determined no harm would result to consumers or children from aggregate exposure.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Food Additives Permitted in Feed and Drinking Water of Animals; Chromium DL-methionine Chelate

FDA amended animal feed regulations to permit chromium DL-methionine chelate as a nutritional source of chromium for cattle feed. This additive is manufactured via reaction of a chromium salt with DL-methionine, with specific content limits and standards for chromium, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The rule is in response to a Zinpro Corp. petition, effective August 19, 2026. Chromium from all supplemental sources cannot exceed 0.5 ppm in complete cattle feed.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.: Availability of Petition for Nonregulated Status and Plant Pest Risk Assessment for Insect Resistant COR-23134-4 Soybean

USDA APHIS released a petition from Pioneer Hi-Bred International seeking nonregulated status for COR-23134-4 soybean, engineered to express Cry1B.34.1, Cry1B.61.1, and IPD083Cb proteins for lepidopteran pest resistance. The draft Plant Pest Risk Assessment concludes no increased pest risk compared to conventional soybean. Comments on the petition and assessment will be accepted through October 19, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Rescission of Rural Development's Construction and Repair Regulation

USDA Rural Development proposed rescinding Part 1924 of its construction and repair regulation, citing duplicative standards and increased costs for rural housing. The rule will rely on local and state building codes for structural integrity and compliance. Amendments replace outdated cross-references with applicable construction standards (7 CFR part 1942) for business programs. This conforms with deregulatory executive orders cited in the notice and impacts housing, rural business investment, and grant programs.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Phosphate Fertilizers From the Russian Federation: Notice of Amended Final Results

The Commerce Department amended administrative review results for the countervailing duty order on phosphate fertilizers from Russia, lowering the subsidy rate for JSC Apatit to 22.86 percent ad valorem for entries during November 2020–December 2021. The revision is based on U.S. Court of International Trade decisions related to construction of tier-three benchmarks for phosphate mining rights. Revised instructions for Customs are pending final court judgment.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

President Trump’s Cabinet Champions America First Successes Nationwide

Cabinet officials traveled across the country during August to publicize economic and community achievements, including Energy Secretary Chris Wright’s announcement on energy sector growth and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's remarks on agricultural exports and manufacturing expansion. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins publicly defended SNAP work requirements affecting food program recipients. The administration's events included topics on infrastructure, exports, labor tax benefits, and rural outreach.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

Legislative Updates

Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026

Bill 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026, has been placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 659, in the House. The legislation pertains to environmental protection and could influence local conservation initiatives.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act

Bill 6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act, is on the Union Calendar, No. 664, covering environmental protection measures. It aims to advance training and restoration activities for the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Sources: www.congress.gov

AWRC Act of 2025

Bill 7889, known as the AWRC Act of 2025, has been placed on the Union Calendar, No. 665. The legislation centers on water resources development, with likely relevance to farm irrigation practices.

Sources: www.congress.gov

NO PROFIT Act

Bill 10125, the NO PROFIT Act, was referred to the House Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, and Energy and Commerce for review. The bill relates to financial sector regulation and provisions impacting agricultural finance.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Wildfire Event Contract Prohibition Act

Bill 10109, the Wildfire Event Contract Prohibition Act, was referred to the House Committees on Agriculture and Judiciary for consideration. The measure addresses contractual limitations in the event of wildfires, relevant to farm management and insurance.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Not In My Barn Yard Act

Bill 10135, Not In My Barn Yard Act, was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The bill's provisions may affect livestock operations and rural business regulations.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• As Europe bakes, momentum grows for climate-resilient farming: European heatwaves drive interest in climate-resilient agricultural practices.
• NEWSLETTER: El Niño and its effects on food supply chains: El Niño patterns have started to disrupt global food supply chains, raising operational challenges.
• E-Noses, Microscopic Robots, Composting Cemeteries and More Visions of the Future: Researchers explore emerging technology for agriculture including e-nose monitoring.
• Trump Announces Move to Lift Ground Beef Tariffs in Bid to Lower Prices: President Trump moves to temporarily eliminate ground beef tariffs to reduce prices.
• U.S. to Boost Beef Imports to Address High Prices, Trump Says: White House plans to increase U.S. beef imports to counter rising domestic costs.
• Trump to temporarily ease US beef tariffs, irking cattle producers: U.S. beef import quotas relaxed for 90 days, prompting concern among cattle groups.
• US health agencies report 55 cases of E. coli and salmonella infections tied to alfalfa sprouts: CDC and FDA link 55 illnesses to contaminated alfalfa sprouts in the United States.
• Alfalfa Sprouts Linked to Illnesses in 15 States, F.D.A. Says: Alfalfa sprouts recalled after salmonella and E. coli outbreak spanning 15 U.S. states.

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