With southern points of entry being reopened to Mexican live cattle imports, many wonder what protocols are in place to protect American livestock from New World Screwworm. USDA’s Chief Veterinarian Officer Dr. Alan Huddleston explains the process and response methods in the case of NWS detection.
“That lot of animals is refused entry into the United States,” Dr Huddleston explained.
“If New World Screwworm is found on an animal when it is entering the APHIS inspection facility, all of the exports would be halted, the animals would be returned to their farms of origin, and this port would close down while we did a full cleaning and then assured that we have disinfested the premises, if that were to happen,” said Dr Huddleston.
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.