House appropriators agreed to block imports of fresh beef from regions of Brazil and Argentina until the USDA does further study on the potential risk of foot and mouth disease. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Vice President of Government Affairs, Colin Woodall says the agency had moved forward to finalize those import rules before House committee leaders stopped them.

Woodall says a more in depth analysis needs to be done regarding the risk of allowing beef from foot and mouth disease regions into the U.S.

Woodall says if Foot and Mouth disease were to show up in the United States, it could destroy the cattle industry and keep consumers from eating beef.

Woodall says they’re already beginning work to convince the full House to pass the legislation and then will work on the Senate to follow suit.