By Scout Nelson
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has once again closed southern ports of entry to livestock shipments from Mexico. This action follows the discovery of a new case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in northern Veracruz. The pest is now located about 370 miles south of the U.S. border and 160 miles north of where sterile flies are currently being released.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated, “The United States has promised to be vigilant—and after detecting this new NWS case, we are pausing the planned port reopening’s to further quarantine and target this deadly pest in Mexico. We must see additional progress combatting NWS in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states to reopen livestock ports along the southern border.”
This is the latest development in an ongoing biosecurity concern. The screwworm, which poses a serious threat to livestock, was first detected in Oaxaca and Veracruz two months ago. Those cases prompted the original closure of ports on May 11 for cattle, bison, and horse shipments from Mexico. Although USDA began a phased reopening on July 7, the new detection has led to the immediate halt of livestock movement through these ports once again.
The USDA is also working to increase its response capabilities. In June, the department announced the creation of a new sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas. This facility is meant to increase the release of sterile flies to stop the spread of the pest. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is urging the USDA to speed up construction and operations at this site to help protect the American livestock industry.
These steps are being taken to ensure the continued health of U.S. livestock and to prevent the spread of this dangerous pest.
Photo Credit:usda
Categories: Kansas, Business, General, Livestock