The Senate Appropriation’s Committee has approved the 2016 agriculture spending bill. Earlier the House passed their version. U.S. Cattlemen’s Association’s Executive Vice President, Jess Peterson says both bills have provisions that keeps USDA from moving ahead with fresh beef imports from Brazil and Argentina until foot and mouth concerns are addressed. Peterson says the other reinstates funding for horse slaughter inspections.

Peterson says while passage of those spending measures is positive for U.S. cattle producers, their best hope for final approval is having a Continuing Resolution approved that contains those provisions going forward.

Peterson says the association wants Congress to address appropriations on an issue by issue basis, rather than on an omnibus approach at the end of the fiscal year.