Strobel Farms owner Paul Strobel and Niagara County Sheriff Michael Filicetti held a press conference on Friday to discuss the alarming rise in livestock theft by animal rights activists in New York. However, the focus quickly shifted to the Biden administration’s decision to allow fresh beef imports from Paraguay, which has sparked heavy criticism. The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) finalized regulations on Thursday, outlining the conditions importers must meet to ensure the absence of livestock diseases in the imported products.
Paraguay’s history of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a highly contagious disease among livestock, raised concerns about the potential threat to the U.S. economy. Kent Bacus, the executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the largest industry group representing U.S. cattle producers, criticized the USDA’s decision, pointing out that it was based on outdated risk assessment data from more than nine years ago. Bacus argued that Paraguay’s inspection system may not provide an equivalent level of safety to prevent an FMD outbreak on U.S. soil.
The USDA’s prioritization of diplomatic interests over the safety of American cattle producers was deemed “unacceptable” by Bacus. While acknowledging the importance of building relationships with South American allies, he emphasized that it should not come at the expense of the U.S. cattle industry’s health and livelihood.
During a meeting between the Paraguayan government and the White House Office of the United States Trade Representative, Paraguayan officials expressed their desire to resume raw beef product trade with the U.S. as soon as possible. They emphasized the benefits of such trade for both Paraguayan and American businesses and consumers, assuring that all food safety and quality regulations would be met.
However, the decision faced significant opposition from the NCBA, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). These organizations raised concerns about the potential risk of an FMD outbreak in the U.S., which could cause substantial economic damage. The AFBF recommended that the USDA withdraw the proposed rule until more recent and relevant data could be acquired to demonstrate the absence of any infectious animal disease outbreak in the U.S. domestic animal population.
The USCA further highlighted the possibility that beef exported from Paraguay could originate from other South American countries, such as Brazil, Bolivia, or Argentina, without a proper risk assessment conducted by the U.S. The organization urged the rescission of the proposed rule to protect the U.S. cattle and beef industry from potential harm.
Critics argue that the benefits for Paraguay in gaining access to the U.S. market should not overshadow the risks posed to U.S. consumers and the domestic cattle herd. They believe that the USDA’s conclusions are based on outdated information that does not adequately account for the risk of an FMD outbreak.
The decision to allow Paraguayan beef imports from a country with a history of FMD outbreaks has raised concerns among American cattle producers and industry groups. While diplomatic interests and trade opportunities are important, ensuring the safety and well-being of the U.S. cattle industry should be a top priority. The USDA is facing mounting pressure to reconsider its decision and prioritize the health and livelihood of American cattle producers.
[Author’s Name] is a politics writer for Digital.
