US Closes Southern Border to Livestock Amid Screwworm Threat

The Trump administration announced on Wednesday the closure of the southern border to all livestock imports in response to concerns about the New World Screwworm (NWS), a parasitic larvae that can harm cattle.

The Director of the USDA, Brook Rollins, disclosed this closure after reports of a new NWS incident from Mexico surfaced. Previously, there had been a phased reopening of cow imports that had crossed the southern border in June, but now, given the outbreak, a complete shutdown was deemed necessary. Experts have warned that the spread of the NWS could devastate the US agricultural sector and drive beef prices up.

“The US remains committed to vigilance. Following the detection of this new NWS case, we have halted the planned port reopenings and implemented further quarantine measures to combat this pest in Mexico. Thanks to the proactive monitoring from USDA staff in both countries, we were able to take quick and crucial action,” Rollins stated.

In a tweet, Rollins said, “I ordered an immediate closure of live cow, bison, and horse trade across the southern US and Mexico border.” This decision followed confirmation of another NWS case in Veracruz, Mexico. The USDA is focused on ensuring protection against this threat.

Colin Woodal, CEO of the National Beef Cattle Association, mentioned earlier that nature might play a role in countering the screwworms, as exposing them to sterile flies can help eliminate them.

On June 18, the USDA unveiled a comprehensive strategy to combat NWS, including initiatives aimed at preventing its northward spread, assisting Mexico with pest control, and maintaining vigilance at tropical borders. There’s a certain level of anxiety among industry insiders regarding livestock safety and the looming threat of this parasite.

Woodal shared concerns about the urgency of managing this issue, labeling it a significant worry for the industry. “This pest is a serious threat. We need to protect our livestock and ensure we can eliminate it if it arrives in the US,” he stated.

The US has a history of dealing with screwworm outbreaks, having successfully eradicated them in the 1960s using sterile fly release methods. However, this came only after the cattle industry faced substantial losses.