Upon learning the news earlier this week of the sudden passing of the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), NCC released the following statement:
“We are saddened by the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. As a longtime member of the Congressional Chicken Caucus, he understood the importance of poultry to South Carolina and to America’s farm families. Our thoughts are with his family, staff, and the people of South Carolina during this difficult time.”
Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to finish out his term — she was sworn in July 14, becoming the first woman to represent South Carolina in the Senate. She serves until Jan. 3, 2027.
South Carolina law calls for a special primary election around August 11, with a possible runoff August 25, to pick a new GOP nominee for November.
WHAT HAPPENED: Nothing yet, but the 2026 Chicken Marketing Summit is nearly here, taking place July 27-29 at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Florida. This year’s theme, “The Protein Moment,” puts the spotlight on one of the biggest storylines in food marketing today: how chicken is uniquely positioned to capitalize on surging consumer demand for protein. Registration remains open, and NCC members still have time to make plans to attend.
WHY IT MATTERS: Aging demographics, fitness culture and the rise of GLP-1 weight loss medications are driving a boom in high-protein eating — and chicken stands to benefit more than any other protein. Its affordability, versatility and near-universal cultural acceptance give it an edge few other proteins can match, fitting a wide range of diets and lifestyles without cultural or dietary barriers. The growing “eat real food” movement, including the emphasis on protein in the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, plays directly to chicken’s strengths. Capitalizing on the protein moment without losing consumer trust — is the kind of strategic marketing conversation Summit attendees can expect this year.
WHAT’S NEXT: With the event less than two weeks away, now is the time to lock in travel plans and register if you haven’t already. Sessions will dig into how chicken can win on “protein plus” positioning, avoid the pitfalls of overprocessing, and stay top-of-mind with consumers navigating a crowded protein marketplace. Full registration details and the full agenda can be found here. NCC will have more Summit coverage in the weeks ahead.
WHAT HAPPENED: The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has published the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, a snapshot of rules federal agencies plan to propose or finalize.
WHAT IS IN IT IMPORTANT TO CHICKEN: Several entries in it touch broiler production, HPAI response, and grower contracting. Of note:
- Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) rescissions (AMS): Three Biden-era PSA rules are teed up for formal rescission via new rulemaking including the “Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity” rule, the “Transparency in Poultry Grower Contracting and Tournaments” rule, and the “Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems” rule. A related final rule already delayed the payment-systems rule’s effective date until December 31, 2027; the rescission proposed rule is the next step in unwinding it.
- Line speed modernization (FSIS): FSIS’s Maximum Line Speed Rates for Young Chicken and Turkey Establishments Operating Under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS) remains listed; the comment period closed April 20, 2026, and the agency is now working toward a final rule.
- Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import requirements (APHIS): This proposed rule would shorten the current 90-day waiting period before live birds and avian commodities can be imported from a region after an HPAI-affected premises is cleared, aligning the U.S. standard with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) benchmarks.
- National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) biennial update (APHIS): A proposed rule would codify changes to NPIP regulations approved by voting delegates at the 2024 NPIP Biennial Conference.
- Payment of Indemnity and Compensation for HPAI (APHIS): APHIS is moving to finalize its December 2024 interim final rule requiring commercial poultry premises to pass a biosecurity audit before restocking after an HPAI outbreak, or before buffer-zone premises can move birds onto the property.
- SNAP “eligible food” definition (FNS): Tied to the administration’s MAHA initiative, this proposed rule would narrow what qualifies as “eligible food” under SNAP, which could have downstream effects on chicken as a covered protein.
WHY IT MATTERS: Several of these items are top priorities for NCC and the Unified Agenda provides a clear window into USDA’s rulemaking priorities.
NCC’s TAKE: “We thank Secretary Rollins and President Trump for their work in cutting unnecessary red tape on businesses and producers, including the Biden administration’s Packers and Stockyard rules,” said Harrison Kircher, President, National Chicken Council. “These rules were rushed, one-size-fits-all mandates that would have added compliance costs and legal uncertainty without benefiting farmers or consumers. We trust this Administration to regulate competitive markets, support American agriculture, and protect consumers — not through duplicative federal mandates, but through common-sense oversight that reflects how the modern broiler industry actually works. NCC and its members look forward to continuing to work with USDA on policies that strengthen the entire chicken supply chain, reward farmers, and keep America’s #1 protein affordable for American consumers.”
WHAT’S NEXT: We will monitor the Federal Register for the publication of rules pertaining to all the topics previously mentioned. NCC will have opportunities to comment on each PSA rescission proposed rule once available. Regarding line speeds, the next milestone is for FSIS to publish a final rule. We will continue tracking timing and circulating comment deadlines as dockets open.
Source: NBC News
WHAT HAPPENED: NCC has released the most detailed update to its Broiler Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist since December 2022, and the guidelines have now been certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO).
WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES? Industry-wide standards for the humane treatment, care, and processing of broiler chickens. First developed by NCC in 1999, the guidelines cover every phase of a broiler chicken’s life, including:
- Hatchery Operations: Guidelines for the proper handling, temperature control, and biosecurity of newly hatched chicks.
- Growout Operations: Standards for housing, nutrition, lighting, air quality, and daily flock husbandry.
- Catching and Transportation: Detailed protocols to minimize injuries and stress during loading and transport to the processing plant.
- Processing Operations: Standards for humane stunning methods (including electrical and Controlled Atmospheric Stunning – CAS) to ensure unconsciousness prior to slaughter.
- Abuse and Audit Failure: Zero-tolerance policies for animal abuse and strict consequences for failing an on-site audit.
The guidelines continue to emphasize measurable Key Welfare Indicators (KWIs) such as mobility, insensibility at slaughter, and wing and leg injuries.
WHO IS PAACO? The leading, non-profit coalition established in 2004 that sets standards of excellence in animal welfare auditing. It promotes the humane treatment of animals by providing professional training and certification for auditors across the swine, dairy, poultry, beef cattle, and feedlot industries.
WHAT’S NEW IN THE NCC GUIDELINES:
- A new dedicated section on Controlled Atmospheric Stunning (CAS) with standards separate from electrical stunning.
- Expanded lighting verification checks.
- New requirements for hand and mechanical catching programs.
- A required routine stunning-equipment-check program with a written emergency plan
- Reorganized language throughout — including replacing “poultry” with “broiler” to more precisely reflect scope.
NCC’s TAKE: “These updated guidelines reflect our industry’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, grounded in the best available science,” said Ashley Peterson, Ph.D., NCC Senior Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. “Adding a dedicated section for Controlled Atmospheric Stunning gives companies using that technology a clear, fully scored set of standards, while our new requirements for routine stunning equipment checks and emergency response planning help ensure consistent, humane treatment of birds at every stage. We’re grateful to the veterinarians, poultry scientists, and auditors who helped shape this update.”
WHAT’S NEXT: NCC requests that auditors wait until at least October 1, 2026, to start auditing to the new 2026 NCC Broiler Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist. Until then, auditors should continue to use the 2022 NCC Broiler Welfare Guidelines and Audit Checklist. This will provide industry time to make any necessary updates. In addition, NCC has begun the process of updating our welfare guidelines for broiler breeders.
Tyson Chickens at a farm in Prairie Grove.
Photo by Beth Hall
