With New World screwworms identified in Mexico and concerns mounting over cattle imports, the USDA’s robust protocols become the barricade between the U.S. beef market and a parasitic crisis.
At a Glance
- USDA limits Mexican cattle imports due to screwworm threat.
- New inspection and treatment protocols set by APHIS and Mexico.
- Past screwworm threats had previously suspended cattle imports.
- Economic imperatives drive risk management to stabilize beef prices.
USDA’s New Approach to Cattle Imports
The USDA has limited cattle imports from Mexico after the discovery of New World screwworms in a cow in Chiapas, a move affecting feeder cattle markets. Unlike earlier situations where concerns prompted suspensions, the USDA is now navigating a balance between economic needs and safety. In doing so, the USDA aims to maintain livestock availability in the face of climbing beef prices without disregarding health hazards.
In response to the screwworm discovery, APHIS, in collaboration with Mexican authorities, has devised comprehensive pre-clearance inspections and treatment protocols. These measures involve multiple inspections and compulsory treatments before cattle and bison can enter the U.S., ensuring that livestock remains untainted by screwworms or related pests. This proactive step marks a divergence from historical approaches which tended more towards import suspensions.
Screw Worm Headline Update
AM Headline: THE WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR ANIMAL HEALTH SAYS THE NEW WORLD SCREWWORM PEST WAS FOUND IN A COW IN MEXICO'S TABASCO STATE LAST WEEK
PM Headline: USDA WILL NOT TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION TO RESTRICT CATTLE IMPORTS FROM MEXICO BASED ON LATEST…
— Oliver – Blue Line Futures (@OliverSloup) February 18, 2025
Enhanced Inspection Protocols
Now, APHIS has introduced detailed pre-export inspection processes at San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora — both officially inspected and approved. Cattle slated for importation undergo rigorous screening, inspection, and treatment at these newly established pens. At each stage, livestock is dipped in solutions designed to eradicate insects and ticks, thereby reducing import-associated public health risks.
Adding more pens and reopening additional ports of entry remains a work in progress for APHIS and its Mexican partners. Together, they plan for expanded trade operations under strict safety protocols. This cooperative model demonstrates a willingness to address crises economically while proactively maintaining livestock health standards.
Fighting Screwworm: A Regional Effort
APHIS is also extending efforts beyond mere inspections by collaborating with Mexico and Central America to combat screwworm infestations head-on. Through partnerships, sterile flies are released in designated areas to control and eventually eradicate the pests. Additionally, the organization works on preserving a biological barrier in Panama, though screwworms have spread into multiple Central American regions, exacerbated by the rise of new farming areas and cattle movements.
As these efforts unfold, the USDA’s prioritization of detailed inspection over blanket suspensions signals a calculated response to a biological threat, effectively addressing both market stability and national safety. Despite significant challenges, it highlights how strategic adjustments ensure economic imperatives don’t overshadow necessary health precautions.
