Brazilian officials are still expecting to resume exports of fresh beef to the United States early this year. Despite that, no announcement has been forthcoming from the USDA on lifting that ban. U.S. Cattlemen’s Association President and North Dakota rancher Kenny Graner says the Brazilians are just blowing smoke. He says they haven’t been able to prove they’ve corrected their health and inspection problems.

He says Brazil needs to improve their animal disease traceability methods before the U.S. should even look at possibly taking their beef.

Graner says his group will keep putting the pressure on the Administration and Congress to keep the Brazilian beef ban in place.

Last June, the U.S. suspended imports of beef from Brazil over safety concerns.