• If you are having problems logging in please use the Contact Us in the lower right hand corner of the forum page for assistance.

Argentine FMD Bill

A

Anonymous

Guest
January 28, 2009 Phone: 406-672-8969; e-mail: [email protected]



Group Supports Bill to Prevent Introduction of FMD from Argentina



Washington, D.C. – R-CALF USA supports proposed legislation introduced today by Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., and Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., that would prevent the introduction of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into the U.S. from Argentina. The pair originally introduced similar legislation in 2008. Co-sponsors of the Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2009 include: Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., John Thune, R-S.D., Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., Byron Dor gan, D-N.D., and Ben Nelson, D-Neb.



The bill prohibits the importation into the United States of any ruminant or swine, or any fresh (including chilled or frozen) meat or fresh (including chilled or frozen) product of any ruminant or swine, that is born, raised, or slaughtered in Argentina until the Agriculture Secretary certifies to Congress that every region of Argentina is free of FMD without vaccination. FMD was detected in Argentina as recently as 2006.



“FMD is recognized internationally as one of the most contagious diseases of cloven-hoofed animals and it bears the potential to cause severe economic losses to U.S. cattle producers,” said R-CALF USA President/Region VI Director Max Thornsberry, a Missouri veterinarian.



“This piece of common-sense legislation recognizes that the most effective prevention measure against this highly contagious disease is to ensure that it is not imported into the U.S. from countries where FMD is known to exist or was recently detected,” he continued. “We want to thank all of these senators for their continued efforts to stay on top of this situation and we encourage all of our members to contact their respective Senators to express their support for this bill.”



On March 6, 2007, R-CALF USA filed comprehensive comments in opposition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Jan. 5, 2007, proposed rule to change the FMD status of the Patagonia South Region of Argentina that would have allowed exports of fresh and chilled beef from there to come to the United States. R-CALF USA member-established policy states that the organization “opposes the weakening of any animal health or food safety standard concerning the importation of cattle or beef into the United States.”
 

Latest posts

Top