USDA Pushes Back Horse Protection Rules Yet Again to 2026 End

2026-05978 — Bayer CropScience: Determination of Nonregulated Status of MON 95275 Maize (Corn)

The USDA says Bayer’s MON 95275 corn, engineered to fight pesky rootworms, is now free from special government rules starting March 19, 2026. This means farmers can grow it without extra paperwork or delays, helping protect crops and possibly saving money. Everyone from farmers to consumers benefits as this corn gets a green light after careful safety checks.

2026-04922 — Notice of Availability of a Pest Risk Analysis for the Importation of Fresh Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.)) Roots From the Republic of Korea Into the United States

The USDA has finished a study on the risks of bringing fresh sweet potatoes from South Korea into the U.S. mainland. They found that with certain safety steps, these imports won’t spread harmful pests or weeds. People and businesses involved in importing or selling sweet potatoes should check out the study and share their thoughts by May 12, 2026.

2026-04923 — Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program

The USDA wants to keep and update the paperwork for the Cooperative State-Federal Brucellosis Eradication Program, which helps stop a cattle disease called brucellosis. This affects farmers, vets, and state officials who track and report on the disease. They’re asking for public comments by May 12, 2026, and the changes won’t cost extra but will keep the program running smoothly.

2026-04459 — Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.; Availability of a Request and Plant Pest Risk Similarity Assessment for an Extension of Determination of Nonregulated Status for Maize (Corn) Genetically Engineered for Insect Resistance and Herbicide Tolerance

Pioneer Hi-Bred wants to extend the nonregulated status of their genetically engineered corn, DP51291, which is designed to resist certain bugs and tolerate a specific herbicide—just like their earlier corn, DP23211. The USDA is sharing their safety review and asking the public to comment by April 6, 2026. This means farmers could soon have more pest-resistant, herbicide-friendly corn options without extra regulations.

2026-04316 — Addition of Sri Lanka to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever

Sri Lanka has been officially added to the list of places affected by African Swine Fever (ASF) starting December 4, 2024. This means the U.S. will tighten rules on importing pork and pork products from Sri Lanka to keep our pigs safe and sound. Farmers, importers, and pork lovers should watch for these changes to avoid any surprises or delays.

2026-04206 — Notice of Proposed Revision to Requirements for the Importation of Pineapples From Taiwan Into the United States

The USDA is thinking about letting all kinds of fresh pineapples from Taiwan be imported anywhere in the U.S., not just certain types or places like Guam. This change could open up new pineapple options for stores and customers across the country. People have until May 4, 2026, to share their thoughts before any final decisions are made.

Previous: 2026-01647 — List of Approved Spent Fuel Storage Casks: TN Americas LLC, NUHOMS® EOS Dry Spent Fuel Storage System, Certificate of Compliance No. 1042, Amendment No. 5

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission updated the rules for storing spent nuclear fuel using TN Americas’ NUHOMS EOS system. The new changes let the system handle hotter fuel canisters safely, fix some small surface flaws rules, and clean up the paperwork for easier reading. These updates kick in on April 13, 2026, and mainly affect nuclear plant operators using this storage system, with no big cost changes expected.

Next: 2026-01655 — Oil and Gas Resources

Starting February 27, 2026, the USDA’s Forest Service is updating the rules for oil and gas activities on National Forest lands. These changes affect companies leasing land for drilling by making the process clearer, improving how operations are monitored, and applying to both current and future leases. The updates aim to modernize and speed up approvals while keeping an eye on compliance, helping everyone work smarter and safer.