WASHINGTON — A recent notice by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) confirmed Paraguay’s eligibility to import raw beef products into the United States.

The agency said all imports come with foreign inspection certificates from Paraguay’s Central Competent Authority (CCA) and that the products were produced under an inspection system equivalent to FSIS requirements.

Several attempts have been made in the last few weeks to stop Paraguayan beef imports from entering the United States. On Dec. 13, Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) filed a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Biden administration’s November decision allowing Paraguayan beef importation.

Members of the House of Representatives recently sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stating their opposition to meat imports from Paraguay.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a final rule detailing Paraguayan beef imports in November.

The rule was initially proposed in March after the agency determined that Paraguay demonstrated the emergency preparedness and response needed to control a potential outbreak.

According to the FSIS, Paraguay will enter the American market for the first time since 1997.

Paraguayan beef was previously restricted due to concerns about foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and other common animal diseases.