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USDA Removes 48-Hour Pre-Export Examination Requirement for Horse Imports

USDA-APHIS has removed the requirement that horses imported to the United States be accompanied by documentation of pre-export examination within 48 hours of departure from the port of embarkation, endorsed by a salaried veterinary medical officer. The agency determined that logistical barriers prevented affected parties from meeting this requirement as written. The final rule, effective May 11, 2026, removes § 93.314(a)(5) while retaining other horse import regulations including port-of-entry inspections and quarantine protocols.

USDA Removes Horse Import Pre-Export Examination Requirement

USDA APHIS issued a final rule removing the mandatory pre-export examination requirement for horses imported into the United States. The change affects importers and exporters of horses by eliminating an examination step previously required before entry. The rule takes effect May 11, 2026.

Movement of Plants and Plant Products from Hawaii and the Territories - Information Collection Extension

APHIS is requesting public comment on a revision to and extension of approval for information collection associated with regulations for interstate movement of fruits and vegetables from Hawaii and the Territories. The collection covers activities including limited permits, inspections, transit permits, compliance agreements, certification, and recordkeeping under OMB Control Number 0579-0346. Comments are due by June 8, 2026.

Plant Product Movement Information Collection Request

APHIS is requesting OMB approval to revise and extend its information collection related to the movement of plants and plant products from Hawaii and US Territories. This Paperwork Reduction Act notice invites public comment on the proposed information collection requirements, with comments due by June 8, 2026.

Renewal of New Poultry Inspection System Information Collection

FSIS is requesting renewal of OMB-approved information collection 0583-0156 regarding poultry slaughter inspection under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS). No changes are being made to the information collection requirements. The current OMB approval expires August 31, 2026. Comments on this renewal request are due June 2, 2026.

Renewal of Poultry Slaughter Inspection Information Collection

FSIS is requesting renewal of its approved poultry slaughter inspection information collection (OMB No. 0583-0156) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. There are no changes to the information collection requirements. The current approval expires August 31, 2026. Comments on this renewal are due June 2, 2026.

State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs Information Collection

FSIS is requesting public comments on a revision to its State Meat and Poultry Inspection Programs information collection (OMB No. 0583-0170), adding 204 burden hours due to a new State inspection program. Comments are due June 1, 2026. This standard Paperwork Reduction Act submission has an approval expiration of August 31, 2026.

Lead Traces in Frozen Dinosaur-Shaped Chicken Nuggets Public Health Alert

USDA FSIS issued a public health alert regarding frozen dinosaur-shaped ready-to-eat chicken nuggets found to contain lead traces. The contamination was identified through routine surveillance, prompting concerns about potential health risks to consumers, particularly children. FSIS is working with the firm to remove affected product from the marketplace.

Overtime and Holiday Inspection Fee Reductions for Small and Very Small Establishments

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced a temporary fee reduction program for FY 2026 using $20 million in de-obligated funds from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. Small establishments will receive a 30% reduction and very small establishments will receive a 75% reduction on overtime and holiday inspection fees. Eligible establishments must submit FSIS Form 5200-16 to qualify, with retroactive refunds available for fees paid since October 5, 2025.

Laboratory Assessment Requests Information Collection Renewal

FSIS is announcing the renewal of an approved information collection (OMB No. 0583-0183) for non-FSIS laboratories (state, local, or private) that test food samples during illness outbreak and recall investigations. There are no changes to the existing information collection requirements. The approval for this collection expires August 31, 2026. Public comments are requested by May 26, 2026.