Perdue, fearing retaliation, says USDA should not block Brazilian beef

Agriculture secretary nominee Sonny Perdue, at his recent confirmation hearing, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture should not block Brazilian beef exports despite the revelation that Brazilian officials had accepted bribes in return for allowing tainted meat to be exported, with Perdue noting that those exports never reached the U.S. and the U.S. could face retaliation. During Perdue's March 23 confirmation hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) asked if the 100 percent re-inspection of beef from...