October 04, 2026 to October 10, 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
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

Federal Government News

White House Issues Emergency Diesel Tax Relief for Farmers and Truckers

On October 5, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order providing temporary relief from federal excise taxes on diesel fuel for highway use, and instructed the Treasury Secretary to defer diesel fuel tax payments, with no penalties, interest, or additional charges incurred for taxes from October 5 to December 31, 2026. The order directs the IRS not to penalize use of dyed diesel for highway purposes in the period and tasks Agriculture and Transportation Secretaries with ensuring fuel supply and road safety. The Administration described this measure as a response to restricted global supply and elevated prices, aiming to lower costs for agricultural and transportation sectors.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

USDA Announces Deregulation of Chrysanthemum White Rust and Plant Import Authorization

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the deregulation of Chrysanthemum White Rust (CWR), stating it is no longer a quarantine pest due to effective fungicide treatments. Starting November 9, 2026, imports of Chrysanthemum cuttings and in vitro plantlets from 20 countries into the continental U.S. will be permitted under systems approaches with exporting countries’ National Plant Protection Organizations. The revised approach aims to reduce compliance burdens and support trade, shifting CWR management to growers.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

FDA Opens Public Meeting on Lot-Level Food Traceability Implementation

FDA announced a virtual public meeting on 'Challenges and Solutions in Lot-Level Food Traceability' scheduled for November 6, 2026. This engagement, mandated by the Continuing Appropriations Act, focuses on implementation flexibilities, including Traceability Lot Codes, returns, and intracompany shipment recordkeeping. Stakeholder input will guide compliance strategies under the Food Traceability Rule, whose enforcement has been delayed until July 20, 2028, per Congressional directive. Topics include operational guardrails, industry practices, and GS1 data standards.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Proposes Amendment to California Almond Marketing Order for Borrowing Authority

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service proposed an amendment to Marketing Order No. 981 permitting the Almond Board of California to borrow funds from commercial lenders via a seasonal line of credit. The intended change would address cash flow imbalances between expenses and assessment collection, with repayment within 12 months. A referendum will occur between November 2 and 20, 2026 to determine industry support, with no anticipated negative impact on California almond growers or handlers.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Commerce Issues Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Orders on Indian Oleoresin Paprika

The Department of Commerce finalized AD and CVD orders on oleoresin paprika from India following affirmative ITC determinations of material injury. Estimated dumping margins range from 4.24% to 5.78%, and subsidy rates from 18.67% to 25.42%. The orders cover highly colored paprika extracts meeting ASTA or color unit thresholds, including crude and blended forms. Cash deposit requirements resume as of the date of publication of the ITC's final injury determination.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Food companies are flying blind to the escalating climate threats to supply chains. Here’s what needs to change: Food companies lack actionable risk data for supply chain disruptions caused by climate change.
• The Dirty Secret Behind the Farmed Fish You Eat: Many farmed fish operations rely heavily on wild-caught feed, challenging sustainability claims.
• Taylor Farms to Curb Lettuce Sales From Mexico; AI Boom Driving Global Growth: Taylor Farms will reduce lettuce imports from Mexico amid broader tech-driven expansion in the food sector.
• Beyond Hopes New Meat-Free Brands Will Power a Turnaround: Beyond Meat launches new plant-based products, seeking to reverse declining sales.
• States scramble to fill gap as millions lose food aid amid new SNAP requirements: States are seeking ways to assist residents cut off from food benefits under new SNAP rules.
• New Trump rules will make it harder for farmers to access US funds for energy projects: Recent regulatory changes will restrict farmers’ eligibility for federal energy project funding.
• EXCLUSIVE: US farm debt is at a record. Official data might be undercounting it: US farm debt has reached an unprecedented high, with indications official estimates may underestimate total liabilities.

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