Feenstra Urges Secretary Vilsack to Protect Iowa Cattle from Foot-and-Mouth Disease

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) signed a letter led by U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to prevent the importation of Paraguayan beef into the United States given the proven existence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Paraguay. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently published a final rule that will allow the importation of beef from Paraguay.

“Iowa cattle producers raise the best beef in the world. By allowing countries like Paraguay – where foot-and-mouth disease remains prevalent – to sell their beef in the United States, we unnecessarily threaten our domestic herds with disease and jeopardize the financial wellbeing of cattle producers and their families,” said Rep. Feenstra. “That’s why I joined my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee in urging Secretary Vilsack to uphold the highest inspection standards of foreign beef and completely halt the import of beef that could potentially be infected with diseases like FMD. USDA should not rely on outdated and irrelevant data that fails to provide the adequate protections for American ranchers and consumers when making such impactful decisions. Protecting our producers and their livelihoods remains a top priority for me in Congress.”

The full letter can be found HERE.

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