The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled its semiannual regulatory agenda for August 2026, a comprehensive document outlining an array of proposed, prerule, and final regulatory actions across its various agencies. Published in the Federal Register Volume 91, Number 156, this agenda signals the USDA's direction in federal agricultural policy, with a notable focus on deregulation, particularly impacting the livestock and poultry sectors, while also addressing ongoing legal mandates and modernizing food assistance programs. This release is crucial for stakeholders across the agricultural industry, legal professionals, and the public, providing an early look at forthcoming changes that could reshape market dynamics, environmental standards, and consumer protections.
Context and Policy Drivers
The Unified Agenda is prepared in conformance with several Executive Orders. These include E.O. 12866 on regulatory planning and review, E.O. 13563 on improving regulation and regulatory review, and significantly, E.O. 14192, titled "Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation," and E.O. 14219, which focuses on "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's 'Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative." The emphasis on deregulation, particularly highlighted by E.O. 14192 and the initiative mentioned in E.O. 14219, which is attributed to President Trump as per the reporting guidelines, casts a long shadow over many of the proposed actions. Additionally, the agenda responds to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, specifically section 602, by identifying rules affecting small entities, and section 610(c) for periodic review of existing regulations. This framework underscores a federal commitment to reducing regulatory burdens perceived as hindering economic activity while maintaining statutory compliance.
Agricultural Marketing Service Focus on Deregulation
A significant portion of the proposed rule stage actions from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) centers on the rescission of previous regulations, particularly those related to the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA). The agenda lists three distinct proposed rules aimed at removing regulations finalized between late 2023 and early 2025:
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Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity (RIN 0581-AE49): This proposed rule seeks to rescind a March 2024 final rule that established prohibitions against undue prejudice, unjust discrimination, and certain retaliatory or deceptive practices under the PSA. The rescission implies a reevaluation of the government's role in policing competition within the highly consolidated meatpacking industry.
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Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments (RIN 0581-AE50): This action proposes to remove regulations from November 2023. Those regulations mandated disclosures from live poultry dealers to growers regarding contracting arrangements and added disclosure requirements for dealers using poultry ranking systems for payment. Their removal could reduce transparency for poultry growers in their dealings with large integrators.
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Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems (RIN 0581-AE51): The USDA plans to withdraw a January 2025 final rule that addressed problematic practices related to payment disparities and capital improvement programs for poultry growers. This withdrawal, if finalized, would eliminate protections designed to ensure fairer treatment for growers regarding their compensation and investment requirements.
These proposed rescissions collectively indicate a policy shift away from more stringent oversight of agricultural markets, potentially favoring industry practices over increased protections for contract growers. This aligns with the broader deregulatory agenda emphasized by the cited Executive Orders.
Other Key AMS Initiatives
Beyond rescissions, AMS also listed other crucial actions:
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Olive Oil Promotion, Research, and Information Order (RIN 0581-AE33): This proposed order aims to establish a program to promote olive oil and counter misinformation. It would assess domestic first handlers and importers $0.08 per gallon, anticipating over $8 million annually for industry development. This initiative represents a direct market intervention designed to bolster a specific agricultural commodity.
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National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (RIN 0581-AE52): Following a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision in Natural Grocers et al. v. Rollins on October 31, 2025, AMS is proposing revisions to its December 2018 final rule. This action directly addresses deficiencies identified by the court regarding the mandatory disclosure standard for bioengineered foods, highlighting the impact of judicial review on regulatory implementation.
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Rescinding National Organic Program for Mushrooms and Pet Food (RIN 0581-AE13): Categorized as a long-term action, this initiative proposes to rescind a December 2024 rule that clarified production and handling requirements for organic pet food standards and organic mushrooms. This further exemplifies a trend of rolling back recently established regulations.
Food and Nutrition Service Program Updates
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) section of the agenda details critical updates to federal nutrition assistance programs:
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Strengthening Integrity and Reducing Retailer Fraud in SNAP (RIN 0584-AE71): This proposed rule aims to enhance program integrity and combat fraud within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Such efforts are ongoing and reflect a commitment to efficient use of federal funds and public trust.
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WIC Online Ordering and Transactions and Food Delivery (RIN 0584-AE85): In the final rule stage, this action revises the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to incorporate online ordering and food delivery options. This modernization effort seeks to make the WIC program more accessible and responsive to contemporary needs, especially following lessons learned during the pandemic.
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Updated Staple Food Stocking Standards for Retailers in SNAP (RIN 0584-AF12): Also in the final rule stage, this rule updates requirements for retailers participating in SNAP regarding the types and quantities of staple foods they must stock. This ensures program participants have access to a variety of healthy food options.
Other Notable Actions
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Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) Revisions (RIN 0560-AI70): The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is in the prerule stage, seeking public input on how foreign entities report agricultural land holdings in the United States. This action, part of the National Farm Security Action Plan, aims to strengthen protections for American farmland by updating a regulation last revised in 2006.
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Horse Protection Act Revisions (RIN 0579-AE93): The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) proposes revisions to the Horse Protection Act, indicating continued efforts to safeguard animal welfare.
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Revising Establishment Size Definitions (RIN 0583-AE09): The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is in the prerule stage to revise definitions related to establishment sizes, which could have implications for small and very small food processing operations and their compliance burdens.
Implications and Perspectives
The USDA's August 2026 regulatory agenda presents a complex picture of federal agricultural policy. The pronounced emphasis on deregulatory actions, particularly the proposed rescissions under the Packers and Stockyards Act, suggests a move to reduce federal intervention in certain agricultural markets. Proponents of these rescissions may argue they alleviate unnecessary burdens on businesses, foster innovation, and allow market forces to operate more freely. Conversely, critics might contend that such actions could weaken protections for vulnerable groups like contract poultry growers, potentially leading to increased market concentration and less equitable practices.
The attention to modernizing SNAP and WIC programs, however, points to a simultaneous commitment to public welfare and program efficiency. The response to the court remand on bioengineered food disclosure highlights the continuous interplay between federal agencies, the judiciary, and public demands for transparency. The AFIDA revisions also reflect growing national security concerns regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land. The blend of deregulation, market promotion, and consumer protection initiatives underscores the diverse and often conflicting priorities inherent in federal agricultural governance. The outcomes of these proposed rules will likely redefine the balance between industry autonomy and governmental oversight in the nation's food and agriculture systems.
