Mexico to Hire 100 Specialists to Combat Cattle Screwworm

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) announced it will hire more than 100 specialists in animal science and agricultural parasitology to strengthen field actions against the cattle screwworm (GBG) and accelerate its eradication. Most hires will be graduates of the Autonomous University of Chapingo (UACh).

Javier Calderón, Chief Director, National Service for Health, Safety, and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA), met with Ángel Garduño, President, UACh, to define the profiles required for operations in southern and southeastern Mexico. UACh will soon issue a call for graduates, interns, and students in the final stages of their degrees in Agronomy Engineering with a specialization in Animal Science or Agricultural Parasitology.

Participants will receive training from SADER specialists in identifying GBG, treating infected animals, wound care, and sample collection. Calderón noted that those who complete virtual and in-person courses with a minimum grade of eight will receive certification and be considered for professional field positions.

The new personnel will join the sanitary sweep operations that SADER will begin in the coming weeks, starting in Oaxaca and Veracruz and expanding to other states in the south-southeast region. During these sweeps, official veterinary staff inspect all production units and ranch sites to verify the absence of pests and diseases, including GBG.

Garduño emphasized that the cattle screwworm is a comprehensive problem affecting both ranchers and the general population. He said UACh will support the Mexican government to prevent its spread and move toward eradication. He added that the program allows graduates to address real field challenges, enhancing their training, and noted that many Chapingo students come from the south-southeast, giving them regional knowledge and fostering trust with local ranchers.