Courtesy of USDA/APHIS
US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins sent a follow-up letter to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture on Saturday regarding Mexico’s actions in collaboration to combat the New World Screwworm. In the letter Secretary Rollins points out the issues surrounding the USDA-APHIS contracted carriers including Dynamic Aviation’s ability to operate including direct flight permissions, pilot credentialing, facility access and full control over their logistical and technical operations. Secretary Rollins also shared concerns on their ability to fly 7 days a week in order to “conduct the high-volume, precision aerial releases required to suppress and eliminate the New World Screwworm population. Without Mexico’s help in addressing these barriers for control of the pest toward the biological barrier at the Darien Gap by Wednesday April 30th, USDA will “restrict the importation of animal commodities, which consist of live cattle, bison and equine originating from or transiting Mexico to protect the interest of the agriculture industry in the United States. Ethan Lane, NCBA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs applauded these efforts saying, “We have received multiple reports that critical flights carrying these sterile flies have been denied permission to land, faced bogus paperwork issues, and been charged high customs fees. As a result, we have lost significant time and investment that has allowed these dangerous pests to spread unchecked into southern Mexico. In light of those reports, NCBA met with the Mexican Embassy earlier this week to deliver the message that the Mexican government needs to be a partner on eradicating screwworms to protect both animal and human health. It’s time for Mexican authorities to act and we appreciate Secretary Rollins standing with American and Mexican cattle producers who want to see this pest stopped dead in its tracks.”