USDA’s animal and plant health inspection service has published a rule in the federal register allowing importation of beef from the Patagonia region in Argentina. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association President Ed Greiman says part of Argentina have had problems with foot and mouth disease and there are many concerns with allowing this opening.
Greiman says APHIS officials should have consulted with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other U.S. producers before going forward with this rule.
He says if only one case of foot and mouth disease were to show up in the United States it could be costly and devastating to the U.S. cattle herd.
Aphis conducted their risk analysis based on a series of visits to Argentina to determine the FMD risk status of the country’s various regions including Patagonia.