USDA-ARS photo
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to monitor the screwworm situation in Southern Mexico. Rusty Halvorson has an update.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service continues to monitor the screwworm situation in Southern Mexico.
APHIS temporarily suspended livestock imports from Mexico after the discovery of NWS in November 2024 and has been collaborating with officials in Panama to maintain a barrier zone in eastern Panama to prevent the spread of NWS. Dr. Burke Healey, senior leader for policy and operations with the APHIS Veterinary Service, says the situation is improving.
“We have worked with Mexico to come up with a new protocol to allow us to begin importation of cattle out of Mexico, while Mexico’s situation with the screwworm is contained into the Yucatan region of southern Mexico. This policy will allow us to continue to have cattle trade, even if that fly should move farther north, so we’re happy about that. We’ve done some inspections and expect that we’ll be able to start moving cattle in the next few weeks.”
U.S. authorities have been working to develop protocols to screen animals coming into the country, but implementation requires facility inspections and approvals.
“And then they’ll be able to begin to accept cattle, primarily in the two ports in Sonora and at least one, possibly two ports in Chihuahua. The states that are in the southern part of Texas where we have ports, those right now, we’re going to continue to keep them closed for the moment.”
Again, that’s Dr. Burke Healey from APHIS.