October 11, 2026 to October 17, 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

USDA Approves Chromium Propionate Use in Poultry Feed

The Food and Drug Administration amended regulations to permit chromium propionate as a source of chromium in feed for laying hens and breeder chickens, effective October 14, 2026. Chromium levels in feed for broiler chickens, laying hens, breeder chickens, and growing turkeys must not exceed 0.2 mg/kg. The FDA assessed that the additive is safe and concluded that its use poses no significant environmental impact, eliminating the requirement for an environmental impact statement. Objections or requests for hearings must be submitted by November 13, 2026. Updated regulatory text has been published in revised sections of 21 CFR 573.304.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

APHIS Notice: Revision and Extension of Livestock Facility Disease Surveillance Recordkeeping

APHIS issued a notice seeking public comment on a revision and extension of recordkeeping requirements at slaughtering, rendering, and approved livestock marketing facilities. The agency's surveillance relies on blood and tissue sampling linked to animal identification records to trace disease outbreaks and facilitate domestic and international livestock trade. The program supports epidemiological data collection used in risk analyses and enables faster response during disease events. The estimated reporting burden averages 0.273 hours per response, with 3,368 respondents anticipated annually. Comments are accepted through December 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

USDA Extends Information Collection Approval for Cattle and Bison Imports—Brucellosis and Bovine Tuberculosis

APHIS is seeking a three-year extension for information collection requirements related to importation of cattle and bison, governing disease status classification and certification protocols for brucellosis and bovine tuberculosis. Foreign regions must maintain disease status classification, submit applications for recognition, and comply with certification conditions. Each response is estimated at 14.6 hours, and the program expects 21 respondents and 62 responses annually. The extension ties to maintaining disease prevention and compliance for animal and public health. Comments on necessity and burden are due by December 15, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Final Rule: Project-Level Predecisional Administrative Review Process Updated

The USDA's Forest Service issued a final rule amending project-level review regulations under 36 CFR part 218. The rule updates the administrative review process for land management projects, aligning procedures with revised NEPA regulations and statutory requirements. New provisions consolidate objection review authority, update public notification to web-based posting and direct electronic outreach, and revise comment and objection periods to 15 days for EAs and 30 days for EISs. The rule streamlines procedural timelines, sets page limits for objections, clarifies requirements for recommendations and supporting documents, and adjusts emergency action exemptions. The effective date is November 12, 2026.

Sources: www.federalregister.gov

Crow Tribe Water Settlement, Seafood Origin Enforcement, and ERISA Ownership Amendments Signed

On October 15, 2026, the President signed S. 240 (Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025), modifying previous water rights legislation to enhance flexibility for water projects on the Crow Tribe reservation in Montana. S. 283 (Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act) requires the Department of Commerce to establish country-of-origin determination based on chemical analysis for seafood. S. 2403 (Retire Through Ownership Act) updates ERISA to define adequate consideration for certain closely held stock. These changes impact tribal water infrastructure, seafood import enforcement, and retirement plan governance.

Sources: www.whitehouse.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• Dirty secret behind the farmed fish you eat: A nonprofit investigation examines sourcing and feed practices in the farmed fish industry.
• Midterm campaigns are asking, where’s the beef? And how much does it cost?: Political campaigns debate beef prices and their implications for voters.
• On the campaign trail, JB Pritzker courts farmers like he's running for president: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker focuses on agricultural issues as part of national outreach.
• What the Russian plague scare taught the world: The Russian plague incident provides lessons for global biosecurity and food chain protection.
• El Niño Threatens Global Sugar Supply: Climate conditions disrupt India’s sugarcane output, affecting sugar prices internationally.
• Rotting meat smell sparks protest at Mexico's screwworm sterile-fly plant: Locals protest environmental impacts at Mexico’s screwworm sterile-insect facility.
• As diesel prices soar, Bolivian farmer turns trash into tractor fuel: Bolivian farmers innovate by producing alternative tractor fuel amid high diesel prices.
• India sets zero sugar diversion for ethanol in 2026/27 tender: India’s ethanol tender excludes sugar diversion for the 2026/27 cycle, influencing global supply.

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