Several countries have banned beef imports from Brazil tied to their recent scandal where they covered up rotten beef being exported. Senators John Tester of Montana and Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota are asking for a temporary 120-day ban of Brazilian beef imports to the United States.
United States Cattlemen’s Association President Kenny Graner says his group spoke with the Senators about the need for a ban. He also says U.S. beef inspectors should be allowed in Brazil to make sure they clean up their act.

He says all countries need to make their exports are safe.

Graner says China was one of the first countries to ban beef from Brazil. He says that could provide a marketing opportunity for U.S. cattle producers.

Brazil’s President called the recent scandal an economic embarrassment. He also downplayed the scandal calling it a fuss and that only three of Brazil’s 4,000 meatpacking plants were forced to close.