US Border Closed to Cattle From Mexico Due To New World Screwworm

The US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has suspended the importation of cattle, horse and bison across the US/Mexico border due to the threat of the New World Screwworm. The announcement was made over the weekend, prompted by the northward spread of the New World Screwworm in Mexico and has been detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement within 700 miles of the US Border. Two weeks ago, the US and Mexico agreed to continue their efforts to eradicate New World Screwworm in Mexico, but despite these efforts there has been “unacceptable northward advancement of NWS and additional action must be taken to slow the northern progression of this deadly parasitic fly.” APHIS and Cusoms and Border Protection will restrict the importation of live animal commodities originating from or transiting Mexico and “will persist on a month-by-month basis, until a significant window of containment is achieved.” Secretary Rollins said, “The United States has ordered the suspension of livestock imports through ports of entry along our southern border after the continued spread of the New World Screwworm in Mexico. Secretary Berdegué and I have worked closely on the NWS response; however, it is my duty to take all steps within my control to protect the livestock industry in the United States from this devastating pest. The protection of our animals and safety of our nation’s food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance. Once we see increased surveillance and eradication efforts, and the positive results of those actions, we remain committed to opening the border for livestock trade. This is not about politics or punishment of Mexico, rather it is about food and animal safety.” NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said, “USDA’s border closure was entirely avoidable. U.S. government officials, NCBA and leaders from affiliated state cattle industry associations have been sounding the alarm for months. Unfortunately, the Mexican government created unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles which rendered prevention efforts ineffective and allowed screwworm cases to spread unchecked beyond control points in southern Mexico. The Mexican government’s failure to knock down senseless obstacles has left America with no alternative but a closure of the U.S. border until the outbreak is verifiably stopped and the flies pushed back south of Panama’s Darien Gap.”