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Mexico to resumes cattle sales to US under new controls over screwworm risk
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. is set to resume live cattle imports from Mexico on August 24 after a yearlong ban due to concerns about the New World screwworm fly, a flesh-eating parasite affecting livestock.
- The ban severely impacted both countries’ cattle industries, causing a livestock shortage in the U.S. and significant income losses for Mexican ranchers, with exports generating $1.2 billion for Mexico last year.
- Initial import shipments will be limited to 700 cattle per day, gradually increasing to 1,300, with new restrictions including electronic identification and screenings by trained dogs to prevent parasite spread.
- Mexico has made progress in containing the screwworm outbreak, which has affected 30 of 32 states, but eradication efforts continue amid ongoing cases near the U.S. border.
- While ranchers like Martín Alfonso Ibarra express cautious optimism about resuming exports, some local industry leaders criticize the U.S. restrictions as too limiting to adequately address supply shortages in both countries.
