Sounding the alarm, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended live animal imports from Mexico, targeting cattle, horses, and bison due to the New World screwworm threat.
See the tweet below!
This move aims to protect the American livestock industry and secure the nation’s food supply against a pest that could wreak havoc.
Readers concerned with protecting domestic interests will want to know how the USDA plans to combat this challenge.
The USDA’s decision to halt these imports from Mexico is a response to the dangerous spread of the New World screwworm, a pest that has recently been detected as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, Mexico.
This suspension affects shipments through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border, underscoring the severity of the threat this flesh-eating maggot poses to livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in rare cases, humans.
The New World screwworm, eradicated in the U.S. in 1966, has troublingly resurfaced in Central America and Mexico since 2023.
The USDA highlighted the necessity for more aggressive actions to curtail the screwworm’s northern advance to safeguard American agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins underlined that protecting the livestock industry and the national food supply is paramount.
Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegue, however, disagrees with the import suspension despite its focus on the safety of food and animals in the U.S.
Berdegue maintains hope for a swift resolution, though the USDA is set to review the situation monthly, evaluating containment strategies.
The import halt is initially slated for 15 days to allow detailed assessments of these efforts.
The screwworm’s direct threat isn’t limited to livestock; it represents a broader risk, being endemic in several Caribbean and South American nations.
This halt is also supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association despite potential economic impacts, with CEO Colin Woodall emphasizing the importance of prioritizing effective screwworm eradication.
Woodall also criticized bureaucratic delays on the Mexican side for hampering these efforts.
The USDA and Mexico had a previous agreement to eliminate the screwworm, but recent surges indicate more robust measures are required.
In fact, USDA aircraft restrictions and Mexican customs duties have impeded programs aimed at addressing the screwworm resurgence.
The urgency of this issue is underscored by the screwworm’s proximity to the U.S. border, merely 700 miles away, making it a pressing concern for those protecting American agricultural interests.
Commissioner Wilton Simpson and FDACS are urging veterinarians, livestock producers, & animal health professionals to remain vigilant as the threat of New World Screwworm reintroduction into the US grows due to the pest’s continued movement through Mexico.https://t.co/1hBkKrrmpQ pic.twitter.com/8E8tASPtGt
— Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services (@FDACS) May 12, 2025
These developments demand robust strategies from the USDA to prevent the screwworm from devastating U.S. livestock and threatening the nation’s food security.
As the situation evolves, the USDA’s monthly reviews will be critical in deciding the duration of the import suspension and assessing any further necessary actions.
While the road to eradication remains challenging, the USDA’s bold steps reflect a commitment to defending America’s livestock and food supply.
