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Boyda Cosponsors Bill to Protect U.S. Livestock and America's Food Supply

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (Kansas Second District) has cosponsored legislation to prohibit the importation of any live cattle or swine from Argentina into the United States. The bill will help protect American livestock from the devastating effects that would be caused by an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

A plan under consideration by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) would open the U.S. livestock market to certain regions of Argentina. Boyda said, “Considering the USDA has not conducted a safety assessment in Argentina following a 2006 outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, this plan is of serious concern.”

The Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2008 prohibits importation of Argentine ruminants and swine, or any fresh, chilled or frozen meat or product of any ruminant or swine born, raised or slaughtered in Argentina until the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture certifies to Congress that every region of Argentina is free of FMD without vaccination.

“Without this certification,” said Boyda, “we run the risk of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, which would compromise our nation’s food supply and be disastrous for Kansas’ livestock producers.”

The United States has been free of FMD since 1929 and is free of FMD without vaccination. A recent study by Kansas State University concluded an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease would cost the Sunflower State alone nearly $1 billion. A 2001 outbreak in England cost the economy nearly $20 billion and led to the destruction of 6 million animals.

Boyda said, “It just makes sense to require a country with a previous outbreak of FMD to prove their products are disease free before we allow them into the United States.”

The bill was introduced this week in the House by Reps. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-SD) and Barbara Cubin (R-WY). Joining Rep. Boyda as original cosponsors of the legislation were Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Steve Kagen (D-WI), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).