Mexico Boosts Livestock Inspections to Prevent GBG Spread

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), in coordination with the governments of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, and Tamaulipas, has intensified livestock inspections to prevent the spread of the New World Screwworm (GBG) to the country’s northern region.

The National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA), led by Director Javier Calderón, presented a coordinated action plan during a virtual meeting with state agricultural development authorities. The strategy involves 100% inspection of animals and the implementation of a regionalization scheme designed to protect the central and northern regions from GBG outbreaks while maintaining export guarantees to the United States.

The plan divides Mexico into three zones: A southern zone where GBG is present and control and eradication efforts continue; A buffer zone comprising states that are GBG-free but not accredited for live animal exports and a GBG-free zone made up of states approved for cattle exports to the United States.

SENASICA will carry out active epidemiological surveillance in the buffer and GBG-free zones using species-specific traps and animal inspections to confirm the absence of GBG larvae. Surveillance will take place in commercial production units, backyard farms, slaughterhouses, and other high-risk areas.

State agriculture secretaries expressed support for the strategy, which aims to preserve their GBG-free status and uphold international trade standards. SENASICA is also maintaining regular communication with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS-USDA) to coordinate preventive measures.

The enhanced program is part of broader efforts to ensure the health and biosecurity of Mexico’s livestock industry and to protect export channels to key international partners.