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.

Pause sheep and goat import rule

If enacted, this bill would pause the proposed rule "Importation of Sheep, Goats, and Certain Other Ruminants" starting on the date of enactment. The pause would last until one year after the Agriculture Secretary files the required report. During the pause, the Secretary and other federal officials would be barred from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing the rule. The bill would also require the Secretary to study the rule's costs and benefits and file that report within one year of enactment. The study would estimate meat and live-animal imports tied to the rule, project 10-year demand by region and State, examine COVID-19 effects, and assess supply, prices, producers, exports, competitiveness, consumer confidence, herd health, cross-species disease risks, estimated direct foreign payments to foreign producers, and other negative impacts. The report would analyze the study and recommend changes to reduce harms, and it would be sent to specified Senate and House committees including Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Senate Foreign Relations; Senate Finance; Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; House Agriculture; House Foreign Affairs; and House Oversight and Reform.