Usda Could Halt Mexican Cattle Imports Over Screwworm Concerns: Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is threatening to halt imports of cattle and bison from Mexico arsenic nan New World screwworm (NWS) continues to dispersed northward. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins elaborate U.S. demands successful a missive sent to nan Mexican authorities Saturday, April 26, and obtained by Fox News.    

New World screwworm larvae tin beryllium fatal erstwhile they burrow into and feast connected nan soma of a surviving animal, efficaciously decimating herds. According to nan USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), NWS tin infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and successful uncommon cases, humans. The USDA eradicated NWS from nan U.S. successful 1966, however, nan agency notes that “there is simply a changeless consequence of re-introduction into nan United States.”

Why is nan USDA concerned?

In her letter, Rollins said that Mexico has until Wednesday, April 30, to activity pinch nan U.S. connected NWS containment efforts. If Mexico fails to act, nan USDA will “restrict nan importation of animal commodities” –– including cattle, bison and horses –– “to protect nan liking of nan agriculture manufacture successful nan United States.”

The USDA projected Mexico’s cattle exports to nan U.S. to deed 1.25 cardinal caput successful 2025, marking an 11% alteration compared to 2024.

The USDA’s 1966 eradication effort was achieved utilizing nan “sterile insect technique,” aliases SIT, successful which sterile antheral flies disrupt reproduction and weaken nan population, according to nan American Veterinary Medical Association.

Rollins stated successful her missive that SIT operations trust connected regular flights operated by authorities contractors, including Dynamic Aviation, which are “uniquely equipped to behaviour nan high-volume, precision aerial releases required to suppress and destruct nan NWS population.” However, according to Rollins, Mexico’s aviation authorities person constricted nan number of flights Dynamic tin behaviour to six days a week, arsenic opposed to nan basal seven.

Moreover, Rollins notes that customs authorities successful Mexico are “imposing important import duties connected captious aviation parts, dispersal equipment, and sterile alert shipments,” each of which are financed by nan U.S. government, hampering efforts to power nan pest.  

“We do not understand really our charismatic efforts to extremity a communal (seed) disease tin beryllium taxable to specified burdensome customs duties,” Rollins writes.

Secretary Rollins specifications collaborative efforts

Now, Rollins’ agency is asking Mexico to pave nan measurement for regular Dynamic flights, waive each duties connected basal craft equipment, sterile flies and SIT equipment, and designate a high-level constituent of interaction who tin activity pinch nan USDA connected “removing regulatory obstacles pinch urgency,” according to nan letter.

The agency is besides proposing a U.S.-Mexico NWS Aerial Dispersal Strategy Meeting that includes representatives from some countries, method experts and operational partners, “to align our strategy and guarantee a seamless and sustained response.”

“The U.S. spent millions of dollars to eliminate New World screwworm from our borders successful nan 1960s but unfortunately, we are now facing this vulnerable threat again,” said Buck Wehrbein, president of nan National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “Screwworm is very destructive and could costs American producers millions of dollars a twelvemonth if it reaches us. Americans person been investing successful prevention efforts successful Central America for decades, but we can’t extremity this without Mexico’s participation. NCBA powerfully supports Secretary Rollins holding Mexico to their commitments regarding screwworm eradication.”

New World screwworm’s northward migration

The caller New World screwworm infestation dates backmost to astatine slightest 2022, erstwhile nan larvae made their measurement from Panama to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala. In November 2024, a lawsuit was recovered successful confederate Mexico, prompting nan APHIS to merchandise $165 cardinal successful emergency funding to mitigate its dispersed while blocking livestock shipments from Mexico to nan U.S. Those restrictions were yet lifted successful February.

“The broad pre-clearance inspection and curen protocol is now successful spot and will guarantee safe activity of cattle and bison into nan United States and mitigate nan threat of New World screwworm,” USDA said astatine nan time.

Mexico has until April 30 to respond to Rollins’ requests.