House Committee chairs are concerned about the USDA rule under consideration to allow imported chilled or frozen beef into the United States from Brazil and Argentina. The Ag and Science, Space and technology chairmen have written Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack asking for information to prove those countries are free of foot and mouth disease. South Dakota Stock Growers Executive Director Silvia Christen says her group and others are opposed to the proposed rule.
Christen says foot and mouth disease would devastate the U.S. cattle industry if it were allowed to get into the country.
She says if USDA goes ahead with the rule, it’ll take Congressional action to stop it and her group and other ag groups will push for that if need be.
The committee chairmen Frank Lucas and Lamar Smith have asked Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack to respond to their request within 90 days.