NCBA Urges Suspension of Brazilian Beef Imports in Section 301 Investigation
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has taken a strong stance in the ongoing Section 301 Investigation into Brazil’s trade practices, voicing serious concerns about Brazil’s treatment of U.S. beef and long-standing food safety issues.
Earlier this week, the U.S. International Trade Commission held a hearing to investigate whether the Brazilian government’s actions constitute “unreasonable, discriminatory harm to U.S. commerce.” NCBA’s Executive Director of Government Affairs, Kent Bacus, delivered pointed testimony:
“NCBA is extremely supportive of President Trump holding Brazil accountable by levying upwards of 76% tariffs on Brazilian goods headed to the U.S. market. This is a good first step, but the administration must continue to hold Brazil accountable for its trade barriers on U.S. beef and its lack of transparency and accountability. NCBA urges the Trump administration to suspend beef imports from Brazil until a thorough audit and inspection process proves that Brazil can meet an equivalent level of food safety and animal health. NCBA was the first to raise alarms over the Brazilian government’s food safety issues in 2017 and its delays in reporting atypical BSE cases in 2021 and 2023. The United States holds all trading partners to the highest science-based standards, and Brazil should not be the exception.”
According to NCBA, Brazil has exported $4.45 billion worth of beef to the U.S. over the past five years. However, Brazil has failed to provide reciprocal access for American beef producers and continues to impose technical trade barriers. Moreover, NCBA argues that Brazil’s reporting delays regarding atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) cases allowed it to continue exporting while avoiding scrutiny.
NCBA emphasized that the delay in BSE reporting—sometimes months or even years—was used strategically to continue beef sales before regulatory action could be taken.
“NCBA was the first to raise alarms…”
The association also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to testify, stating that this hearing reflects years of advocacy work.
With growing bipartisan scrutiny of global trade fairness and food safety, NCBA’s call to suspend Brazilian beef imports may signal a turning point in U.S. agricultural trade enforcement.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.