WASHINGTON – Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) took another step on Dec. 13 to suspend beef imports from Paraguay to the United States.
The bipartisan group announced it would file a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden Administration’s November decision allowing Paraguayan beef importation.
“The Biden administration’s decision to allow beef imports from a country with a history of foot and mouth disease is a mistake that impacts South Dakota producers and consumers,” Rounds said. “Our producers work tirelessly to produce the safest, highest quality and most affordable beef in the world. Our consumers should be able to confidently feed their families beef that has met the rigorous standards required in the United States. I am proud to partner with Senator Tester to overturn this Biden administration rule that would allow beef imports from Paraguay.”
The initial legislation was filed by Rounds and Tester on Dec. 6. The senators called on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to collect more up-to-date data before resuming beef imports from a country like Paraguay with a recent history of foot and mouth disease.
According to Rounds and Tester, Paraguay last reported foot and mouth disease cases in 2012. The senators also said the USDA’s decision to resume Paraguayan imports relies on an analysis completed in 2018, and American inspectors have not conducted a site visit to Paraguay since 2014
“The Biden Administration has this one backwards – resuming beef imports from a country with a recent history of foot and mouth disease is bad news for both Montana consumers and producers,” Tester said. “Montana ranchers work hard to produce the best quality beef in the world, and it’s clear that the USDA doesn’t have the data to show that Paraguay meets the same animal health standards. I’m willing to take this fight to the Senate floor because it’s clear that bureaucrats in Washington are endangering our food supply while giving a raw deal to American ranchers and consumers.”
Along with the calls for suspending beef imports, the proposed bill would require a working group to evaluate the threat to food safety and animal health posed by Paraguayan beef.
The new legislation received support from R-CALF USA, the US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).