A contingency of High Plains lawmakers have introduced a resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to oppose importation of fresh Paraguayan beef.
Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson recently introduced the resolution of disapproval to oppose the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay final rule. In November, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the slaughtered beef could be allowed if it was processed in certified Paraguayan establishments and met certain conditions.
On Nov. 14, 2023, the USDA made the decision to begin allowing the import of fresh Paraguayan beef using risk assessment data from site visits to the country from over 10 years ago, Jackson contended in his statement.
Assessment outdated
The outdated risk assessments put America’s beef, pork, and sheep industries at risk of foreign animal disease such as foot-and-mouth Disease, which Paraguay has a long history of in their beef herds, Jackson said. FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that has the potential to derail America’s robust beef production system, which is the safest and most abundant in the world.
“Centuries of blood and sweat have gone into America’s cattle industry, and I will not allow our reputation as the safest beef in the world to be compromised now,” Jackson said. “Congress must prevent this unsafe rule from moving forward to protect the livelihoods of America’s farmers and ranchers.”
Texas’ 13th Congressional District is the top fed cattle producing district in the U.S., and its importance to the rural communities that he serves cannot be understated. Jackson said colleagues from both sides of the aisle know how vital it is to protect U.S. cattle producers from devastating foreign animal disease outbreaks.
The Biden administration had not commented on the resolution as of Feb. 22.
Bipartisan support noted
Other High Plains lawmakers who have been pressing the matter include Reps. Frank Lucas of Oklahoma, Yadira Caraveo, of Colorado, Don Bacon, of Nebraska; Randy Feenstra, of Iowa, Brad Finstad, of Minnesota; Brian Babin, of Texas; Troy Nehls of Texas; Stephanie Bice, of Oklahoma; Mike Flood, of Nebraska; August Pfluger, of Texas.
Lucas noted in a news release that in December he had joined Rep. Tracey Mann, of Kansas, and others urging Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to pause the implementation of the rule until more recent data is procured.
U.S. cattle organizations have strongly voiced their opposition to allowing the importation of Paraguayan beef, Jackson said.
