Agricultural News
Last Chance to Submit Comments on Importation of Beef from Argentina
Wed, 24 Dec 2014 11:03:50 CST
Beef from South America coming into the United States, many American cattle organizations in this country say "no". A proposed rule from the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) would allow for the importation of fresh and frozen beef from northern Argentina where Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been a problem. The public comment period continues through Monday, December 29th.
Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey said they are strongly opposed to the importation of beef from Argentina because the country has not demonstrated the ability to secure their borders and to follow risk mitigation strategies specifically involving FMD.
"We just can't afford to have that disease in the United States in terms of our herd health," Kelsey said.
Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays featured Kelsey on the Beef Buzz feature. Click or tap on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to today's Beef Buzz.
Secondly, Kelsey said they are not confident the nation's APHIS division will kept the nation's herd safe.
"We're just not seeing the documentation that we need to see that inspections have taken place and those types of things on our side," Kelsey said. "Nor have we, in our opinion, followed the proper rule making process in this case."
Traditionally OCA supports open, free and fair trade, but in this case, Kelsey said the potential risks to the nation's herd are too great, so he is encouraging all cattlemen to make comments on the proposal through the Federal Register.
Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Pete Bonds said TSCRA is extremely concerned with the APHIS rule proposal to allow the importation of live cattle and fresh or frozen beef from northern Argentina. Earlier this week, Bonds released the following statement after TSCRA submitted comments in opposition of the rule proposal by USDA - APHIS.
"Protecting the U.S. cattle industry from a catastrophic foreign animal disease, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major priority for TSCRA." Bonds said. "FMD could cause a widespread quarantine and possible massive depopulation of the cattle herd in the U.S., thus compromising national security, jeopardizing our beef supply and costing our industry hundreds of millions of dollars."
The comment period continues through Monday, December 29, 2014. Comments can be made by clicking here.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network- but is also a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show- and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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