U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins recently announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, effective immediately. NWS has been recently detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border.
The United States and Mexico continue efforts to interdict and eradicate NWS in Mexico and work in good faith. However, despite these efforts and the economic impact on both countries due to this action, there has been unacceptable northward advancement of NWS and additional action must be taken to slow the northern progression of this deadly parasitic fly. As such, effective immediately, the USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in conjunction with Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will restrict the importation of live animal commodities originating from, or transiting Mexico.
This import suspension will persist on a month-by-month basis, until a significant window of containment is achieved. USDA will continue constant collaboration with Mexico, including a review of latest data and metrics in two weeks. Secretary Rollins shared, “Our teams have been in daily communication discussing how we can build on the good work that has been accomplished to improve our strategy toward eradication. Any livestock currently in holding for entry into the United States will be processed normally, this includes an APHIS port Veterinary Medical Officer inspection exam and treatment to ensure they are not carrying NWS.”
“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.”
USDA is taking all possible actions to monitor for, and limit, the northward movement of NWS. The U.S. previously and successfully led the eradication of NWS in the U.S. and Mexico, however this cost billions of dollars and took decades. Unfortunately, these recent detections in Mexico show that this dangerous pest is back and remains a serious threat to the health of our animals, our food supply, and the security of our country.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Agricultural organizations like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association are fully supportive of this action by USDA. Once the threat is recognized, and this type of policy is put into place, there is a greater probability that the negative impact of these pests can be brought under control. This is not the first time such action has been taken to control pests coming into the U.S. NWS is a devastating pest and can kill a fully grown animal in a matter of days or a couple weeks. And Secretary Rollins is correct in suggesting that such restrictions are also critical to protect the consumer. This is another situation that we will post updates as they occur.
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