Constituent Update - August 7, 2026

Constituent Update - August 7, 2026

USDA Launches Program to Strengthen Independent Beef Processors and Support Ranchers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is opening the application process for the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) program, a $500 million initiative designed to bolster independent and regional beef processing capacity and support American ranchers. Beginning August 10, 2026, USDA will email partially pre-filled applications to eligible processing establishments.

The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is administering SPUR at the national office level under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, using FSIS data to identify eligible establishments and payment amounts. Qualifying processors include federally inspected establishments and those participating in the Talmadge-Aiken Cooperative Inspection Program or the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program. Establishments must be operational at the time of application. University and state-owned entities and the four largest beef processing companies are ineligible to receive SPUR payments.

Processors must have a Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, and must submit completed applications by September 11, 2026. FSA will host an informational webinar on August 11, 2026.

To learn more, please visit https://fsa.usda.gov/spur or email [email protected] for details and webinar registration.

Reminder: FSIS to Host Webinar PHIS Egg Product Exporters

FSIS invites egg products exporters to a webinar demonstrating how to apply for export certification using PHIS. This demo will walk participants step-by-step through the process. Egg products exporters will be able to use the test environment and then start processing egg products exports in PHIS in real time in September.

This webinar will take place on August 13, at 1:00 p.m. ET, and will be recorded and posted for later viewing.

• Join the webinar for PHIS Egg Product Exporters on August 13 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET

For questions about this webinar, email [email protected].  

FSIS Posted Individual Category Status and Aggregate Results for Poultry Carcasses, Chicken Parts, and Comminuted Poultry Tested for Salmonella

On August 7, 2026, FSIS updated the individual establishment Salmonella performance standard category information for raw poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, and comminuted poultry products on the Salmonella Verification Testing Program Monthly Posting page on the FSIS Website. Additionally, FSIS will post the aggregate sampling results showing the number of establishments in categories 1, 2, or 3 for establishments producing young poultry carcasses, raw chicken parts, or not ready-to-eat (NRTE) comminuted poultry products at the location linked above.

Available for Public Comment

FSIS seeks public comments on proposed rules and notices, which are viewable on the FSIS Federal Register & Rulemaking webpage. FSIS is currently seeking comments on the following:

• Until September 14: Notice of Request to Renew an Approved Information Collection: Salmonella Initiative Program

Policy Update

FSIS notices and directives on public health and regulatory issues are available on the FSIS Policy webpage. The following policy update was recently issued:

FSIS Notice 31-26: Current Mileage Reimbursement Rates, Effective July 1, 2026

Export Requirements Update

The Library of Export Requirements has been updated for products for the following:

FSIS:

• Chile
• Canada
• China

APHIS:

• Canada
• Indonesia
• Chile

Complete information for FSIS products can be found at the FSIS Import & Export Library.

Complete information for APHIS products can be found at Export Restrictions on U.S. Animal Products for Human Consumption website. Select the countries listed above from the drop down menu for complete information.