Posted 3/21/2024, 8:16:00 PM
Senate Passes Bill to Reverse Beef Import Decision, Citing Disease Risks in Paraguay
- Senate passed bipartisan bill reversing Biden administration decision to allow beef imports from Paraguay, citing history of cattle disease
- Paraguay has history of foot-and-mouth disease which could threaten US food supply if spread here
- USDA finalized rules in November 2022 to allow Paraguayan beef imports despite criticism from lawmakers and industry groups
- Paraguayan government and industry groups pushed for resuming imports, claiming compliance with US standards
- Cattle and farm industry groups praised Senate passage, saying imports too risky without recent site visits confirming Paraguay’s safety claims