WASHINGTON, – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a suspension of livestock imports through the Mexican border on a “month-by-month basis” in a decision aimed at protecting American cattle from a dangerous parasite infestation.
The parasite is the New World screwworm, a type of fly eradicated in the United States nearly 60 years ago.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Sunday that the parasite was recently detected on remote Mexican farms located within 700 miles of the U.S. border. The department emphasized that additional action is necessary to prevent the spread.
Mexico’s Agricultural Council Chief responded to the ban by calling it unnecessary, stating that it “does not solve the problem.” Meanwhile, the Mexican Agriculture Secretary expressed disagreement with the ban but remained hopeful for a resolution between the two countries soon.
