Senator Rounds’ resolution to halt beef imports from Paraguay passes easily

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Joe Tester (D-MT) might not belong to the same political party, but they have one thing in common - both men represent states featuring strong and productive beef industries.

The senators recently collaborated on a measure to block beef imports from the South American nation of Paraguay. This measure drew bipartisan support in Congress and was passed in the Senate Thursday with a vote of 70-25. As this measure repeals a Biden administration rule, a presidential veto could happen, but Thursday’s vote suggests a congressional override would be probable in that situation.

This measure comes with the health of American livestock in mind.

“Paraguay is an ally of our country,” said Rounds. “But we have not allowed their beef to be imported into the United States because they have had a history of foot-and-mouth disease in their herds.”

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness infecting animals like cattle, pigs, and goats. The disease also affects humans in extremely rare cases. Eradicated from the United States in 1929, foot-and-mouth disease spreads quickly through herds of livestock. Paraguay’s most recent cases were documented in 2012, and Paraguayan livestock haven’t been inspected for the disease since 2018. The virus causing foot-and-mouth disease can potentially remain infectious outside of a host for months.

While some economic impact could result from this ban in the short term, this decision should help to ensure American livestock remain healthy in the long term.

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