[Pages S995-S996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

By Mr. JOHNSON (for himself, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Tester, Mr. Thune,
Mrs. McCaskill, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Nelson of Nebraska, Mr.
Barrasso, and Mr. Conrad):
S. 337. A bill to prohibit the importation of ruminants and swine,
and fresh and frozen meat and products of ruminants and swine, from
Argentina until the Secretary of Agriculture certifies to Congress that
every region of Argentina is free of foot and mouth disease without
vaccination; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I introduce the Foot and Mouth
Disease Prevention Act of 2009 with my colleague from Wyoming, Senator
Mike Enzi, and with broad organizational support. I drafted this bill
with one goal in mind: to keep America Foot and Mouth Disease, FMD,
free.
The United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, under the Bush
administration proposed throwing open our borders to Argentine
livestock, fresh meat and fresh product. While the United States of
America has been free of FMD without vaccination since 1929, Argentina
has consistently struggled with the disease, experiencing outbreaks as
recently as 2006. Argentina has failed to remain FMD free for any
length of time and arguably lacks the infrastructure necessary for this
proposal to fly. In fact, a 2001 outbreak in Argentina went unreported
and was hidden by the Argentine government, raising serious questions
regarding their communication on this front.
The Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2009 doesn't interrupt
the status quo. Argentina can import product that is dried or cooked,
for example, that doesn't pose a risk for disease transmission. And
we're not saying that increased trade is permanently prohibited. We are
simply asking for Argentina to comply with certain acceptable standards
for trade that would ensure the country as a whole is FMD free, and FMD
free without vaccination. Additionally, our requirement that the
Secretary of Agriculture ``certifies to Congress'' that Argentina as a
country is free of FMD is merely a reporting process regarding
Argentina's disease status.
Senator Enzi and I consulted extensively with nationally recognized
livestock health experts on USDA's proposal. These livestock health
experts resoundingly voiced their concern for USDA's plan, which fails
to put American farmers and ranchers first. Dr. Sam Holland, South
Dakota State Veterinarian and Past President of the National Assembly
of State Animal Health Officials, NASAHO, has been instrumental with
offering his guidance and expertise. A poll was taken within NASAHO and
the majority of state veterinarians oppose regionalizing for FMD. While
regionalization may be an appropriate approach in various other
circumstances, it is unequivocally unacceptable in responding to Foot
and Mouth Disease. An FMD outbreak in the United States is projected to
cost our agricultural economy billions of dollars, and it is with good
reason that the American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA, has
deemed FMD to be the most devastating of all livestock diseases.
USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, APHIS, arguably
violated its own World Organization for Animal Health-complaint
regionalization plan in proposing increased meat trade with Argentina.
APHIS must address eleven points when initiating the regionalization
process, including points six and seven which speak to the degree of
separation of the region and the extent to which movement can be
determined and controlled. Nationally recognized livestock health
experts believe that in the case of regionalizing for FMD, sound
scientific evidence argues against USDA's proposal.
This past fall, USDA APHIS Chief Veterinarian Dr. Clifford discussed
with my staff his intention not to proceed with the Argentina plan
until a review of the 2005 risk assessment was completed. It is my
understanding that a team will be sent to Argentina to conduct this
review in late February. Additionally, the new Administration is
reviewing proposed rules, of which the Argentina plan is included.
While both of these developments are encouraging, it is essential that
we continue to communicate the potentially disastrous consequences of
this plan.
Organizations across the agricultural industry support this
legislation, including the American Sheep Industry Association, United
States Cattlemen's Association, R-CALF, National Farmers Union, South
Dakota Stockgrowers Association, South Dakota Cattlemen's Association,
Wyoming Stock Growers Association, South Dakota Farmers Union, Women
Involved in Farm Economics, and Dakota Rural Action.
Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that letters of support be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be placed in
the Record, as follows:
South Dakota

Animal Industry Board,

Pierre, SD, January 27, 2009.
Hon. Tim Johnson,
U.S. Senator, Hart Office Building, Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Johnson: As a follow-up to our conversation on
Regionalization of Argentina for FMD:
As you recall NASAHO was overwhelmingly opposed to such
regionalization during the last session of congress.
As I understand a more current review and risk assessment
is planned regarding such regionalization. While a recent
review will provide useful risk information, concerns remain.
Personally, the issues I stated in the past appear still
valid.
(1) Economic benefits do not justify the risk of embarking
on a regionalization for this disease.
(2) Inability to effectively monitor risk on an ongoing
basis.
(3) Resources, Biosecurity, and experience in monitoring
FMD freedom are inadequate.
(4) Regionalization for one of the world's most highly
contagious virus disease(s) (FMD) is much more complicated
than regionalization for tuberculosis, brucellosis and many
other diseases. FMD virus is not only arguably the most
contagious virus known for animals, but also is particularly
resilient in the environment and may persist in fomites and
be transmitted by such through aerosol or contact.
While I certainly support trade based on science,
prioritization must occur. Regionalization efforts should
start at home and resources should be spent on enhancing
animal health in the United States, along with efforts to
increase our exports, prior to spending precious resources in
foreign countries in attempts to increase food imports.
Sincerely,
Sam D. Holland,
State Veterinarian and Executive Secretary.
____

U.S. Cattlemen's Association,

San Lucas, CA, January 28, 2009.
Hon. Tim Johnson,
Hon. Mike Enzi,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Sirs: The U.S. Cattlemen's Association (USCA) applauds
your leadership in introducing the Foot and Mouth Disease
Prevention Act. This bill would prohibit the importation of
ruminants and swine and fresh or frozen ruminant and pork
products from any region of Argentina until the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) can certify to Congress that
Argentina is free of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
This bill is extremely important as it protects the U.S.
cattle herd from FMD. If FMD

[[Page S996]]

infiltrates our borders, entire herds would be destroyed
leaving ranchers in financial ruin. Furthermore, the scare
would immediately shut global markets to U.S. beef products,
a move that would have a disastrous economic effect on rural
economies.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has deemed FMD
the most economically devastating of all livestock disease. A
recent study by Kansas State University found that an
outbreak of FMD would cost the State of Kansas alone nearly
$1 billion.
Despite the risks, the Department of Agriculture continues
to consider the implementation of a regionalized beef trade
plan with Argentina. FMD is an airborne disease that will not
stop at an imaginary border controlled by a foreign nation.
Argentina has proven time and time again that it does not
have America's best interests at heart. This is a country
that has attacked U.S. agriculture in the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and has intentionally turned its back on,
and still refuses to pay, billions in U.S. loans despite U.S.
court judgments mandating it do so.
USCA is committed to working with you and moving this bill
forward by garnering support both on Capitol Hill and in the
country. USCA is firmly resolved to ensuring the U.S. cattle
industry is protected by the highest import standards
possible, and to seeing that this bill becomes law.
Sincerely,
Jon Wooster,
President.
____

National Farmers Union,

Washington, DC, January 27, 2009.
Hon. Tim Johnson,
U.S. Senate,
Washington D.C.
Dear Senator Johnson: On behalf of the family farmers,
ranchers and rural residents of National Farmers Union (NFU),
I write in strong support of your legislation to prohibit the
importation of Argentine ruminants, swine, fresh and frozen
meat, and fresh and frozen products from ruminants and swine
until the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary
certifies the country Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free
without vaccination. I applaud your leadership to ensure all
measures are employed to protect the American livestock
industry and consumer confidence in our meat supply.
The ban proposed in your legislation is necessary in order
to prevent jeopardizing our own efforts to eradicate
livestock diseases, and thereby protecting the food supply.
Your legislation enhances food safety through requiring every
region of Argentina to be FMD-free without vaccination before
exporting ruminants, swine and meat products to the United
States.
FMD is a highly infectious virus that, if introduced into
the United States, could contaminate entire herds and leave
producers in financial ruin, as infected herds must be culled
to prevent the spread of the disease. FMD is so devastating
the American Veterinary Medical Association considers it to
be the most economically destructive of all livestock
diseases. The United States suffered nine outbreaks of FMD in
the early twentieth century, but has been FMD-free since
1929. According to USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service, the economic impacts of a re-occurrence of FMD in
the United States could cost the economy billions of dollars
in the first year alone.
America's family farmers and ranchers produce the safest,
most abundant food supply in the world. FMD presents a very
real threat to American agriculture and its introduction into
the United States can and must be prevented. Requiring a
country like Argentina, with such an apparent problem with
this devastating disease, to prove FMD-free status is an
acceptable standard to trade. Opening our borders to
Argentine ruminant products is a risk that American producers
simply cannot afford. Your legislation is needed to ensure
harmful products are not allowed into the United States and
that Argentina is not an exception to the rule.
I thank you for introducing this important legislation, and
look forward to working with you to ensure its passage.
Sincerely,
Tom Buis,
President, National Farmers Union.
____

R-CALF

United Stockgrowers of America,

Billings, MT, January 26, 2009.
Hon. Tim Johnson,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Mike Enzi,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Johnson and Enzi: On behalf of the thousands
of cattle-producing members of R-CALF USA located throughout
the United States, we greatly appreciate and strongly support
the reintroduction in the 111th Congress of your joint
legislation to prohibit the importation of certain animals
and animal products from Argentina until every region of
Argentina is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without
vaccination.
Foot-and-mouth disease 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. Your legislation recognizes that the
most effective prevention measure against this highly
contagious disease is to ensure that it is not imported into
the United States from countries where FMD is known to exist
or was recently detected.
R-CALF USA stands ready to assist you in building both
industry and congressional support for this important
disease-prevention measure. Thank you for reintroducing this
needed legislation in the 111th Congress to protect the U.S.
cattle industry from the unnecessary and dangerous exposure
to FMD from Argentinean imports.
Sincerely,

R.M. Thornsberry,

President,
____

South Dakota

Cattlemen's Association,

January 26, 2009.
Senator Tim Johnson,
Hart Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Senator Mike Enzi,
Russell Senate Office Building,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Johnson and Enzi: I'm writing on behalf of
the 1,000 beef producer members of the South Dakota
Cattlemen's Association (SDCA) to express support for the
Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act of 2009. In light of
numerous unanswered questions regarding the status of Foot
and Mouth Disease in Argentina, we believe passage of the
Foot and Mouth Disease Prevention Act is critical to ensure
this devastating disease doesn't enter the U.S. cattle herd
through the importation of Argentine cattle and beef
products.
SDCA supports free and fair trade based on OIE standards
that will protect the health of our cattle herd and the
economic livelihood of our cattlemen. Our top trade priority
is to regain market access for U.S. beef in order to
recapture the lost value of exports that occurred after the
occurrence of BSE in 2003. To that end, we've worked closely
with elected and regulatory officials to ensure adequate
measures are taken to protect our herd health and maintain
consumer confidence in U.S. beef.
We commend your willingness to stand up for South Dakota's
beef producers and look forward to working with you on this
important issue.
Regards,
Jodie Hickman,
Executive Director.
______