United States Halts Mexican Cattle Imports Over Screwworm Fears

The United States has suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison through its southern border ports of entry. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the measure, citing the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico. Mexico disagrees with the suspension, but reported both countries agreed on a 15-day period to review strategies and seek an agreement.

US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the measure, citing the continued and rapid northward spread of  NWS in Mexico. According to the USDA, recent detections of NWS have been reported in remote farms in the north of Oaxaca and Veracruz. The department noted that the United States and Mexico have been engaged in ongoing efforts to interdict and eradicate NWS in Mexico. However, despite these efforts, the plague continues its way through the United States.   

As a result, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will restrict live animal commodity imports from or transiting Mexico. This import suspension is planned to continue month-by-month until a significant window of containment is achieved, reads USDA’s press release. 

Livestock currently held for entry into the United States will undergo normal processing, including inspection by an APHIS port Veterinary Medical Officer and treatment to ensure they are not carrying NWS. “The last time this devastating pest invaded America, it took 30 years for our cattle industry to recover. This cannot happen again,” said Rollins in a Social media post.

Rollins noted close work with Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture, Julio Berdegué, on the NWS response but emphasized her duty to take steps to protect the livestock industry in the United States from the pest. The USDA intends to continue constant collaboration with Mexico, including a review of the latest data and metrics in two weeks. Teams have been in daily communication discussing strategies for eradication.

Rollins described the protection of animals and the safety of the nation’s food supply as a national security issue. She stated that the United States remains committed to reopening the border for livestock trade once increased surveillance and eradication efforts show positive results, clarifying that the action is focused on food and animal safety, not politics or punishment against Mexico.   

According to the USDA, NWS eradication requires robust active field surveillance with education and outreach for prevention, treatment, and early detection; controlled animal movement to limit spread; and sustained sterile insect dispersal. Suspending livestock transport through southern ports of entry is intended to assist in limiting the northbound transport of NWS through livestock commerce and will allow the United States to reassess whether current mitigation standards remain sufficient, the agency says, adding that the northward spread of NWS is also possible through natural wildlife movements across the border region.   

Mexico Opposes Import Suspension 

While the US government said the measure should not be interpreted as a punishment against Mexico, experts and the federal government disagreed with the measure, arguing that cattle exports to the United States follow strict phytosanitary controls. “Every animal crossing the United States borders previously received antiparasitic treatment and a health inspection, and had all biosecurity measures complied with and verified by SENASICA and the United States' own APHIS,” said Luis Fernando Haro, Director, National Agricultural Council (CNA).

President Claudia Sheinbaum stressed Mexico’s efforts in combating NWS since its surge and disagreed with the US measure. Berdegué added that Mexico and the United States agreed on a 15-day deadline to address the issue and reverse the suspension. "I spoke with Rollins, she informed me that the border would be closed for live cattle exports for 15 days to review the joint strategy against NWS. We do not agree with this measure, but we are confident that we will reach an agreement sooner. I will continue informing,” he said.