US-Mexico Border Closure: 15-Day Ban on Livestock Due to Screw Worm

U.S. Closes Border with Mexico Due to Screw Worm Infestation The United States has temporarily closed its border with Mexico for 15 days due to the detection of the New World screwworm, a devastating parasite affecting livestock. The closure, announced by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, suspends imports of live cattle, horses, and bison through southern U.S. ports of entry. This decision comes after the recent detection of the pest in several Mexican states, including Oaxaca and Veracruz. Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué confirmed the closure, stating, "We are not in agreement with this measure, but we trust that we will reach an agreement in a shorter time." He also highlighted that the last time this pest invaded America, it took 30 years for the cattle industry to recover. The closure is a significant blow to the Mexican livestock industry, which relies heavily on exports to the United States. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her disapproval of the border closure, calling it "unjust" and emphasizing Mexico's commitment to collaboration and coordination in addressing the pest. She indicated that Mexico has been actively working to control the screwworm since the first cases were reported, and that the government is not subordinate to the decisions made daily by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. The situation underscores the complex relationship between the two countries and the challenges of managing agricultural threats across borders. The hope is that a swift resolution will be found to reopen the border and mitigate the economic impact on both sides.