The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is reacting to the announcement by the US Department of Agriculture again closing the US Mexico Border to shipments of livestock due to the threat of the New World Screwworm. Last week, a New World Screwworm case was reported in Veracruz, Mexico, approximately 370 miles south of the US Mexico border.
NCBA CEO Colin Woodall said, “A key part of USDA’s strategy for protecting American agriculture is continuously monitoring conditions on the ground. Secretary Rollins has been working to balance the economic needs of U.S. cattle producers who rely on imports while at the same time protecting the overall U.S. cattle herd. The New World screwworm’s northward movement jeopardizes the safety of American agriculture, which is why Secretary Rollins paused cattle movement again until we can push the screwworm further from our border. Secretary Rollins has made significant gains holding Mexico accountable for their role in eradicating the New World screwworm. She successfully removed bureaucratic barriers to the screwworm sterile fly flights and increased surveillance in Mexico. Unfortunately, screwworm continues to move north through Mexico and it’s clear that the United States needs a sterile fly facility of our own here at home. We cannot wait any longer and we urge USDA to immediately begin work on a sterile fly facility.” NCBA expects the situation to continue to evolve and has pledged to work with USDA and stakeholders to protect US cattle producers.
Dale Sandlin with Southeast AgNet