The Livestock Marketing Association (LMA) applauds congressional efforts to oppose USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay rule. 

As background, in November 2023, APHIS released their final rule that would allow Paraguay to export fresh beef into the United States. LMA has serious concerns about the risks the rule could pose to our national beef supply. Paraguay has a history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), that, if imported to the United States, would have devastating consequences to our nation’s beef supply.  

LMA President Mark Barnett worries that USDA’s rule prioritizes Paraguayan cattle producers over our own. 

“The irresponsible decision to allow fresh Paraguay beef imports based on outdated site visits and inadequate data is an unacceptable risk for hardworking beef producers in this country,” said Barnett.  

No in-person site visits to the region have occurred since 2014 and APHIS relied upon reports from Paraguayan officials to make the final determination. 

LMA thanks Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX) and Yadira Caraveo (D-CO) for introducing bipartisan resolutions of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA). If the resolution of disapproval is approved by both houses of Congress and signed by the President, or if Congress successfully overrides a presidential veto (2/3 vote), the rule cannot go into effect or continue in effect. 

“The United States raises the best and most safe beef in the world because of the hard work and tireless efforts of our producers,” Barnett said. “We can’t risk endangering our national herd by allowing this flawed rule to go into effect.”