WASHINGTON, DC — Yesterday, Congressman Jackson introduced a resolution of 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. 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 These outdated risk assessments put America's beef, pork, and sheep industries at risk of foreign animal disease such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which Paraguay has a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.

Jackson said: "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. Congress must prevent this unsafe rule from moving forward to protect the livelihoods of America's farmers and ranchers. Texas' Thirteenth Congressional District is the top fed cattle producing district in the United States, and its importance to the rural communities I represent cannot be understated. This dangerous rule, based off decade-old data, is another example of the Biden administration failing to understand the needs of America's agriculture producers, and further demonstrates their lack of insight and care for the industry. I am proud to lead this CRA to prohibit the importation of risky Paraguayan beef alongside colleagues from both sides of the aisle, who know how vital it is to protect U.S. cattle producers from devastating foreign animal disease outbreaks.”

Caraveo said: “As the Representative of one of the largest agriculture producing counties east of the Rocky Mountains, I’m proud to stand up on behalf of Colorado’s farmers and ranchers, who can’t afford to lose their cattle to a potential FMD disease, which Paraguay has a long history of in their cattle herds. We must maintain high standards of food safety and animal health for our agriculture producers and consumers.”

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

This CRA is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, R-CALF USA, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, the Livestock Marketing Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Livestock Marketing Association of Texas, American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Colorado Farm Bureau, and the Colorado Livestock Association.

Representatives Yadira Caraveo (CO-08), Frank Lucas (OK-03), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), David Rouzer (NC-07), Don Bacon (NE-02), Mike Bost (IL-12), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), Mary Miller (IL-15), Barry Moore (AL-02), Brad Finstad (MN-01), John Rose (TN-06), Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Brian Babin (TX-36), Troy Nehls (TX-22), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Mike Flood (NE-01), and August Pfluger (TX-11) cosponsored Congressman Jackson’s legislation.

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