What Happened: USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) on Tuesday published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register seeking stakeholder input on whether — and how — the agency should update the size definitions it uses to classify meat and poultry establishments as “very small,” “small,” or “large.” FSIS is asking stakeholders to weigh in on alternative metrics such as production volume, corporate ownership structure, and business revenue.
Why It Matters: The current definitions, which are based on employee count and annual sales, date back to the 1996 Pathogen Reduction/HACCP Systems final rule and have remained largely unchanged since.
The size classifications determine, in part, which regulatory requirements apply to a facility, when compliance deadlines kick in, and which federal assistance programs an establishment is eligible for. Poultry processing facilities that fall under the “small” or “very small” categories may qualify for phased extended compliance timelines, reduced inspection fees, and exemptions from certain labeling and sampling requirements. The current definitions create some significant anomalies — an 11-employee plant and a 499-employee plant, for example, are both classified as “small,” even though their production capacity may be vastly different.
NCC’s Take: We have been advocating for a change to the establishment size definitions for some time and welcome this announcement. It is our position that establishments should be categorized by production volume instead of employee count, ownership structure, or revenue.
What’s Next: NCC will be providing comments to the agency which are due May 26, 2026.
WHAT HAPPENED: After 41 days, the Senate voted early Friday morning to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, excluding ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). In a near-empty chamber, senators approved the funding by voice vote at 3 a.m. The fight over ICE and CBP will be pushed to reconciliation, along with measures on funding the war in Iran and the SAVE America Act.
WHAT’s NEXT? House leadership isn’t sure when the chamber would take this up, but it is expected it will be today or Saturday, and the bill should pass the House before the end of the weekend at the latest.
WHAT HAPPENED: USDA on Tuesday announced the launch of a national public awareness campaign to inform meat, poultry, and egg producers of the “Product of USA” voluntary labeling standard which went into effect on January 1, 2026, and intends to increase consumer understanding of what the label means. The claim is voluntary and ends the prior practice which allowed imported products to carry the claim after minimal processing and strengthens consumer confidence by aligning with what Americans expect and demand.
WHY IT MATTERS: The new labels follow updated USDA rules governing which products can carry the designation. Previously, items that were merely packaged or processed in the U.S. could legally use the label. In 2024, USDA revised the labeling rules, with the new requirements going into effect earlier this year. USDA does not maintain mandatory country-of-origin labeling claims for other types of meat products.
NCC’s TAKE: Consumers seeking chicken that’s Made in the USA can already find the “Hatched, Raised & Harvested in the U.S.” label on American chicken. Nearly all chicken consumed in the USA (more than 99%) is hatched raised and processed here, and this must be noted on the package in retail, as chicken has mandatory country of origin labeling. “We are very proud of that distinction, and now our members have another tool to showcase that their chicken is American made,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super.
NEXT STEPS: For more information and an FAQ, visit: https://www.usda.gov/usa.
WHAT HAPPENED: Former Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) was sworn in Tuesday as Homeland Security secretary, succeeding Kristi Noem. The final vote Monday night was 54-45. All Republicans voted for Mullin with the exception of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY). Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) were the only Democrats breaking with their party to support Mullin.
WHY IT MATTERS: The secretary leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for guarding the nation against terrorism, cyberattacks, and other threats — both foreign and domestic. Alan Armstrong, an oil executive, was sworn in as a temporary senator appointed by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
WHO IS ALAN ARMSTRONG? Armstrong, 63, was the Executive Chairman of Williams Companies, a natural gas company based out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Williams handles roughly a third of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. through its pipeline infrastructure, according to the company. Prior to stepping into his current role at the company last July, Armstrong served as the CEO of Williams for nearly 15 years.
WHAT’S NEXT? Under Oklahoma law, Armstrong cannot run for the seat. The Oklahoma primary election will take place on June 16, and candidates must officially file to run during a three-day period from April 1-3. Republican Rep. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma has emerged as the leading candidate in the race. Hern represents Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District, which is centered in the northeastern part of the state and anchored by the Tulsa metropolitan area.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING: “I grew up on an Air Force base, worked my way through school, built businesses, and served Oklahoma in Congress. Now I’m ready to fight for Oklahoma in the Senate,” Hern wrote in a post on X when announcing his campaign.
NCC’s TAKE: As the 13th largest broiler producing state in the country, NCC looks forward to working with the next junior senator from Oklahoma, whomever voters choose on November 3.
Alan Armstrong at the State Capitol on Tuesday. Source: AP
The staff at NCC wishes you and your families a very blessed and happy Easter weekend next week! NCC’s Washington Report will return on Friday, April 10.
What Happened: The Trump administration on Tuesday delayed until December 31, 2027, the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems rule, a Biden-era regulation finalized just six days before President Trump took office. It was set to go into effect on July 1, 2026. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced the delay following a review of the rule’s potential impact on the poultry industry and consumers.
Why it Matters: The rule would have effectively banned performance-based bonuses for chicken farmers, requiring all growers to be paid the same rate regardless of their hard work, investments, housing conditions, or bird welfare practices. AMS acknowledged that even a small drop in production efficiency under the rule could result in significantly higher broiler costs — ultimately hitting consumers at the grocery store.
NCC’s Take: NCC strongly supports the delay. “We applaud Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration for their thoughtful review of this Biden-era regulation and for listening to chicken farmers across the country who oppose it,” said NCC President Harrison Kircher. “This regulation threatened to dismantle an efficient and successful industry model that has worked well for decades and helps keep chicken affordable.” NCC has long argued that performance-based pay rewards hard work, encourages the best bird welfare practices, and keeps experienced growers in the industry. Our press release supporting AMS’s announcement can be found here.
WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 8-7 yesterday to advance the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be Homeland Security secretary, setting up a potential confirmation vote on the floor as early as next week. Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) bucked the party line to vote against Mullin’s nomination, but Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) crossed party lines to support Mullin.
WHY IT MATTERS: The secretary leads the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for guarding the nation against terrorism, cyberattacks, and other threats — both foreign and domestic. DHS oversees Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The secretary sets enforcement priorities and policy direction for the entire immigration system.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open mind,” Sen. Fetterman said. “We need a leader at DHS. We must reopen DHS. My AYE is rooted in a strong committed, constructive working relationship with Senator Mullin for our nation’s security.”
WHAT’s NEXT? A confirmation vote from the full Senate could come as early as next week. Mullin’s nomination is likely to win confirmation, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority.
Sen. Mullin at the confirmation hearing. Source: Politico
WHAT HAPPENED: The Chicken Marketing Summit announced this week that nominations are now open for the 2026 Chicken Marketer of the Year award and will be accepted until May 1, 2026.
WHY IT MATTERS: The Chicken Marketer of the Year award highlights efforts by retail, foodservice, direct-to-consumer, producer/integrator organizations, and companies that have demonstrated exceptional marketing creativity and strategies to promote chicken consumption. The award recognizes the marketers helping drive chicken’s continued growth during what industry leaders are calling “the protein moment.” The 2026 winner will join the ranks of past winners, including Chick-fil-A, Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Farmer Focus and Perdue Farms.
NCC’s TAKE: We encourage companies to submit nominations and help spread the word to colleagues and customers. To learn more and to submit a nomination, please click here.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING: “The Chicken Marketer of the Year award gives us the unique opportunity to recognize companies that position chicken as the protein of choice for healthy and affordable meals and demonstrate how innovative marketing connects today’s protein-focused consumers with the versatility and value of chicken,” said Elizabeth Doughman, editor of WATT PoultryUSA and Poultry Future.
WHAT’s NEXT: Submit a nomination. The winning organization will be recognized during a trophy presentation at the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit, at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida, on July 27-29, 2026. Registration is open with early savings available until May 31.
Jody Hallman, VP, integrated marketing, Perdue Foods, accepts the 2025 Chicken Marketer of the Year award.
