NCBA Reiterates Support for Comprehensive, Thorough Evaluation of Uruguay’s FMD Status

Washington, D.C. (September 23, 2002) – In response to misleading statements made in a recent article by a Uruguay press outlet, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reiterating their well-established position on the future resumption of Uruguayan beef imports to the United States.

“We are not urging for ‘fast track’ authorization, and we have never supported doing this in an expedited manner… this is a complex process and we need to take the appropriate time needed,” said Wythe Willey, Iowa cattle producer and NCBA President.

NCBA has been actively involved in trade discussions with Uruguay, involving numerous letters, meetings, and discussions. On August 6, 2002, NCBA sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture formally requesting the organization of a fact finding trip. The trip would send appropriate government officials and U.S. producers to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay to examine their systems of disease eradication and border controls to prevent the re-infestation and spread of FMD.

“We have worked tirelessly to ensure that our herd health is maintained with regards to FMD, BSE and other foreign animal diseases and have contributed to efforts to assist our trading partners in eradicating these diseases from within their borders as well. It is imperative that before recertification, representatives from the U.S. beef industry conduct a fact finding trip to South America to evaluate border controls and the risk that FMD may be reintroduced from neighboring countries.  It is absolutely necessary for state veterinarians and producers to be included on the trip, to provide a broader base of technical expertise on the review team.  These experts can return to the U.S. and reassure other beef industry leaders that trade with this region of South America does not pose a risk to U.S. herd health.” said Willey.

“NCBA very much appreciates the aggressive actions, controls and continued surveillance that Uruguay has implemented to eradicate and control foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and ensure that it is not reintroduced. Our representatives need to conduct on-site inspections to determine that these countries are using modern, science-based technology and statistically valid sampling procedures to ensure they are indeed FMD-free,” noted Willey.

U.S. cattle producers are expected to visit South America during the notice and comment period, after the proposed rule to recertify Uruguay has been published.

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