Mexico will stop most imports of live animals from the U.S. after cases of New World screwworm (NWS) were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, Mexico’s agriculture ministry said on Tuesday.
The suspension applied to cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and several other species of animals, the ministry said, adding that the decision was taken in coordination with USDA.
Mexico, which has registered more than 28,200 cases of screwworm since November 2024, said it aimed to protect its cattle herd in the northern states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua and Sinaloa, where there are currently no confirmed cases of screwworm.
The U.S. has confirmed five cases of NWS since June 3. NWS is not a food safety concern. Meat and poultry products are safe to consume, and USDA/FSIS inspection protocols at packing plants remain in place.
(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Kylie Madry)
