MEXICO CITY — Officials from Mexico and the United States announced plans to begin a phased reopening of the U.S. border for Mexican cattle imports in July, following a halt in May due to concerns about the spread of the screwworm. The joint statement came after both countries implemented measures to control the pest that threatened livestock.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins shared on social media that “key progress” had been achieved in tackling the screwworm issue. She emphasized the distribution of over 100 million sterile flies each week as a preventive measure and noted the absence of screwworm advancement in the past eight weeks.
Restrictions were initially placed by the U.S. on Mexican cattle imports after the pest was detected. Although the ban was lifted temporarily in February once assessment protocols were established, the screwworm’s concerning progression led to a suspension of imports again in May. A solution now seems to be on the horizon with the forthcoming reopening.
Julio Berdegué, Mexico’s Agriculture and Rural Development Secretary, confirmed his participation in a virtual discussion with Rollins, during which the July 7 reopening date was agreed upon. Both officials praised the collaborative efforts between the two nations that paved the way for this resolution.
The screwworm, a larval stage of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, poses a significant threat as it can target warm-blooded animals, humans included. By entering the skin, it causes severe and potentially fatal wounds and lesions if untreated.