Rep. Flood Backs Resolution to Prohibit Dangerous Paraguayan Beef Imports

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Mike Flood recently co-sponsored a bipartisan resolution alongside U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson (R-TX) in disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to oppose the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Importation of Fresh Beef From Paraguay final rule. 

“Nebraska is known as the Beef State. For over 150 years, thousands of ranchers and farmers around the state have raised the best quality cattle in the world,” Rep. Flood said. “Paraguay has a history of poor infectious disease management in livestock production. I am proud to co-sponsor Rep. Jackson’s resolution to ensure Americans are eating the healthiest and safest beef possible. The Biden Administration is putting America’s cattle producers and consumers at risk – Americans can’t afford this gamble and Congress needs to overturn this decision quickly.” 

On November 14, 2023, the United States Department of Agriculture (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. These outdated risk assessments put America's beef, pork, and sheep industries at risk of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which Paraguay has a long history of in their beef herds. 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.

This CRA is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, R-CALF USA, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, and the Livestock Marketing Association.

The full bill text can be found here. A full list of statements of support for this legislation can be found here.