March 28, 2008

USDA prepares to allow meat from Argentina's South Patagonian region
 

Argentine beef and sheepmeat from the South Patagonian region could soon make its way to US shores as the USDA prepares to lift the ban on the products.

Argentina beef and sheepmeat imports have been banned since a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak was confirmed in 2001.

Since 1976, there have been no FMD cases in Argentina's South Patagonian region and no case of rinderpest has been diagnosed there.

As the South Patagonian region only makes up 2 percent of Argentina's total herd of about 1 million head, the USDA decision would probably have limited impact on exports.

In addtion, the Argentine government continues to control beef exports to decrease domestic beef prices.

A number of US senators have expressed opposition to the USDA rule saying that FMD is not something the US should treat lightly.

According to the senators, FMD could be economically devastating to US cattle herd and sheep flock if there were an outbreak of this highly contagious disease.

The ban on beef and lamb imports from other regions of Argentina will remain in place under the new USDA ruling.