US Temporarily Halts Livestock Imports from Mexico Due to Screwworm Detection

United States Halts Import of Livestock from Mexico Due to Pests

The United States government has temporarily suspended the import of livestock from Mexico. This decision follows the discovery of a case of the screwworm in Chiapas, a pest that feeds on the live tissue of mammals.

The National Service of Health, Safety, and Agro-Food Quality (SENASICA) reported this news. Both the U.S. and Mexican governments are working together to restore the normal flow of exports. SENASICA clarified that this suspension applies only to live animals and does not affect agricultural products.

SENASICA confirmed ongoing effective control measures to protect Mexican livestock from the screwworm threat. They noted that personnel intercepted an animal at the federal inspection point in Catazajá, Chiapas. This animal tested positive for the pest and originated outside the country, although the origin was not disclosed.

This year, Mexico expects to export nearly 1.4 million cattle, primarily to the United States. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) has implemented strategies to prevent the entry of screwworms into Mexico.