A bill to delay the implementation of a rule relating to the importation of sheep and goats and products derived from sheep and goats, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- S. 3377
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S8514)
- Last Updated
- 2026-01-08T17:46:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill (S. 3377) aims to temporarily halt the implementation of a 2016 proposed federal rule that would ease restrictions on importing live sheep, goats, and certain other ruminants (hoofed mammals like deer) into the United States, along with their derived products such as meat. The goal is to allow time for a detailed study of the rule's economic and health impacts before proceeding, addressing concerns about domestic agriculture and animal disease risks.
Key Provisions
- Delay Period: From the date the bill is enacted until one year after a required report is submitted, the Secretary of Agriculture and other federal officials are prohibited from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the rule titled "Importation of Sheep, Goats, and Certain Other Ruminants" (published in the Federal Register on July 18, 2016).
- Required Study: The Secretary of Agriculture must conduct a comprehensive study assessing:
- Projected increases in imports of sheep and goat meat and live animals due to the rule.
- U.S. demand for sheep and goat meat over the next 10 years, broken down by region and state.
- Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on relevant economic data and market conditions.
- Potential impacts on U.S. supply and prices of live sheep and goats; domestic producers and markets (by region and state); export opportunities for U.S. sheep and goat meat; industry competitiveness; consumer confidence in these products; herd health; and risks of animal disease outbreaks across species.
- Foreign government subsidies to sheep and goat producers that could arise from the rule.
- Any other negative effects not covered above.
- Report Submission: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary must submit a report to specified congressional committees, including:
- Analysis of the study's findings.
- Recommendations for changes to the rule to reduce or eliminate any identified negative effects.
- Committees Involved: Senate committees (Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Foreign Relations; Finance; Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs) and House committees (Agriculture; Foreign Affairs; Oversight and Reform).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The bill introduces a statutory delay and study mandate, overriding the normal timeline for the 2016 proposed rule, which was issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) under the Animal Health Protection Act (a law that regulates imports to prevent disease spread).
- It does not repeal the rule but pauses its progress, potentially leading to revisions based on the study's recommendations. This marks a shift from agency-led rulemaking to congressional oversight, requiring evidence-based adjustments before any implementation.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The USDA will face new resource demands for conducting the study and report, potentially slowing other agricultural regulatory activities. It enforces a one-year freeze on the rule, giving Congress more direct influence over trade and health policies.
- Citizens and Domestic Producers: U.S. sheep and goat farmers may benefit from delayed foreign competition, stabilizing prices and markets, but consumers could see limited short-term access to imported meat if demand grows. The study could highlight disease risks (e.g., scrapie, a contagious sheep disease), influencing long-term food safety and prices.
- International Relations: Delays could strain trade ties with exporting countries (e.g., those previously restricted due to disease concerns), possibly affecting broader U.S. agricultural export negotiations. It might signal U.S. caution on imports, impacting global animal health standards.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Domestic Producers: U.S. sheep and goat farmers and ranchers, particularly in states with large herds (e.g., Texas, California), who could face increased competition or disease risks from imports.
- Importers and Exporters: Businesses involved in international trade of live animals and meat, including foreign governments providing subsidies to their producers.
- Consumers: American buyers of sheep and goat products, potentially affected by supply, pricing, and quality confidence.
- Government Entities: USDA (responsible for the study and enforcement pause); congressional agriculture and trade committees; and federal agencies handling border inspections (e.g., Customs and Border Protection).
- Industry Groups: Organizations like the American Sheep Industry Association, which advocate for protective measures.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses congressional authority under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution to regulate interstate and foreign trade, including animal imports. It imposes a moratorium on an executive agency rule, which could be challenged in court if seen as overly intrusive on USDA's delegated powers under existing animal health laws.
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's role in overseeing executive actions, balancing federalism by protecting state-level agriculture interests against national trade policies.
- Political: Introduced by senators from agricultural states (Wyoming, North Dakota), it reflects bipartisan rural concerns over trade liberalization and pandemic-era market disruptions. If passed, it could set a precedent for similar delays on other USDA rules, influencing future debates on food security and economic protectionism.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND]
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (text: CR S8514)
- 2025-12-04:
- 2025-12-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To delay the implementation of a rule relating to the importation of sheep and goats and products derived from sheep and goats, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-12-04 — PDF (5 pages)