WASHINGTON — Newly introduced legislation from Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) looks to suspend beef imports from Paraguay.

The bill comes at the heels of the final rule from the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that allows for the importation of Paraguayan beef after a long-standing ban on the product.

Paraguay beef imports were previously restricted due to concerns about foot-and-mouth disease and other common animal diseases.

“Paraguay has historically struggled to contain outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease,” Rounds said. “Unfortunately, the Biden administration has prioritized diplomatic initiatives in the region over the interests of the American cattle industry. This poses a significant threat to not only our producers but our consumers as well. Consumers should be able to confidently feed their families beef that has met the rigorous standards required in the United States.”

The new legislation has earned support from R-CALF USA, US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

“The United States has the highest food safety and animal health standards in the world, and any country who wishes to trade with the United States must demonstrate that they can meet those standards,” said Ethan Lane, NCBA vice president of government affairs, adding, “All our trade partners need to have inspection systems that can clearly provide an equivalent level of safety for animal health to prevent a possible foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the United States. Cattle producers thank Senators Mike Rounds and Jon Tester for introducing legislation to help protect consumers and cattle from foreign animal disease.”

In addition to the new bill, Congress exercised other efforts to reverse the USDA’s rule.

Members of the House of Representatives recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, voicing their opposition to beef imports from Paraguay.