Government authorizes entry of beef with flat bones into Patagonia; producers file injunction

After two postponements since March, the government has finally authorized the entry of bone-in beef into Patagonia, albeit limited to flat bones such as short ribs, rib sets, and sternum. Through Resolution 460/25, the sanitary barrier separating Patagonia —free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination —from the rest of the country —also FMD-free but with vaccination— was relaxed.

The measure was challenged in court by the Federation of Rural Societies of Río Negro—one of the five Patagonian provinces—which filed an administrative appeal on Friday with the sanitary agency SENASA to halt implementation and also submitted a judicial injunction.

Opposition arguments center on the legality of the measure (claiming it violates national law), infringement of property rights (as ranchers consider access to FMD-free export markets part of their assets), and the lack of “prior consultation” with those affected. However, sources consulted by WBR expressed doubts about whether the legal action will succeed.