Cattle production is a $2.5-billion industry in Alabama
WASHINGTON— Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville voted in favor of overturning the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) rule to resume Paraguayan beef imports as the U.S. Senate passed a Congressional Review Act resolution by a bipartisan vote of 70-25.Paraguay does not have the same food processing and sanitary standards as the United States, leading to increased concerns of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) from these unsafe beef imports. Senator Tuberville issued the following statement about his vote:
“Today is a huge win for Alabama’s cattlemen. Not only did the USDA’s rule jeopardize our domestic beef industry, but it put Americans’ safety at risk. The Biden administration has a long track record of putting America’s farmers last, instead of first. Cattle production is a $2.5-billion industry in Alabama, and we want to ensure it stays that way. I appreciate all that Alabama’s hardworking cattlemen do to provide safe, quality beef for Americans, and will continue to be a voice for them in D.C.”
BACKGROUND
In November 2023, the Biden administration announced Paraguay beef imports would no longer be banned. USDA based its decision on a flawed risk assessment that used old data from site visits conducted over nine years ago. Paraguay is historically known for outbreaks of FMD, which is a severe and highly contagious viral disease, causing illness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, and deer. While FMD is currently not a public health or food safety threat as it is not in America, it causes production losses and has the potential to lock down international trade with just one detection. Additionally, USDA ignored the risk associated with Paraguay’s recent economic downturn, which can open food safety and animal health up to vulnerabilities.
Cattle are produced in each of Alabama’s 67 counties, and beef cattle production ranks second behind broilers in cash receipts among Alabama farm commodities. Last year, Alabama producers sold $447 million worth of cattle and calves.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
###
