Cattle Imports from Mexico Resume

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced this past weekend the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico.

To protect U.S. livestock and other animals, APHIS halted shipments of Mexican cattle and bison in November 2024 after a positive detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. After extensive discussions between representatives from the countries, APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented what they’re calling a “comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol,” find more here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-senasica-nws-protocol-import-ruminants.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery, to ensure safe movement and mitigate the threat of NWS.

From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, adult screwworm flies are about the size of a common housefly (or slightly larger). They have orange eyes, a metallic blue or green body, and three dark stripes along their backs.

Signs of infestation can include:

- Bloody or light-colored drainage from a cut or wound

- Head shaking

For more on their recommendations, visit https://www.ncba.org/producers/new-world-screwworm-resources

This, of course, is precautionary. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) successfully eradicated NWS from the United States in 1966.