The US has halted livestock imports from Mexico again, just days after the trade resumed.
The USDA informed that on Tuesday 8 July, Mexico’s National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality (SENASICA) reported a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz in Mexico.
“While USDA announced a risk-based phased port re-opening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico beginning as early as July 7, 2025, this newly reported NWS case raises significant concern about the previously reported information shared by Mexican officials and severely compromises the outlined port reopening schedule of five ports from July 7-September 15. Therefore, in order to protect American livestock and our nation’s food supply, Secretary Rollins has ordered the closure of livestock trade through southern ports of entry effective immediately”, said the USDA.
The halt to trade in May aggravated a US beef shortage, which had seen prices of slaughter-weight livestock reach record heights. Traditionally, Mexico is one of the largest beef exporters to America, Bloomberg said.
The USDA said department personnel will perform site visits throughout Mexico to ensure “adequate protocols and surveillance in place to combat this pest effectively and efficiently.” Rollins called for progress to combat the fly in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states.
