The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement on New World Screwworm control efforts that will allow Mexican cattle to continue entering the US.

Herding cattle in in Mexico. Image: Shutterstock.

One week ago US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned her Mexican counterpart that unless Mexico moved decisively to eliminate bureaucratic barriers and intensify eradication efforts against the New World screwworm, the US would restrict imports of cattle, bison, and equine animals from Mexico beginning Wednesday, April 30.

However on Friday Secretary Rollins announced that Mexico had committed to eliminate restrictions on USDA aircraft, and waive customs duties on eradication equipment aiding in the response to the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS).

Due to this agreement US ports will remain open to livestock imports, Secretary Rollins said, before adding that if at any time the terms are not upheld, port closure will be revisited.

“I am happy to share Mexico has continued to partner in emergency efforts to eradicate the New World Screwworm,” Secretary Rollins said.

“This pest is a devastating threat to both of our economies, and I am pleased to work together with Mexico in good faith to protect the livelihoods of our ranchers and producers who would have been hurt by this pest.”

“At USDA we are working every day to keep pests and disease from harming our agricultural industry. I thank our frontline USDA staff and their counterparts in Mexico for their work to ensure the screwworm does not harm our livestock industry.”

New World Screwworm (NWS) is a deadly parasitic fly that infests warm-blooded animals, causing severe wounds and complications that can lead to death.

Mexico is the largest supplier of imported cattle to the US, sending over 1 million head per year before a New World Screwworm outbreak in November 2024 led to a halt on Mexican cattle imports to the US.  The ban was lifted in early February after Mexico implemented a new pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol.