Rollins Suspends Animal Imports From Mexico

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the northward expansion of the New World Screwworm virus.

“While we are working with Mexico on responding to the screwworm, it’s my duty to take all steps within my control to protect the U.S. livestock industry from this devastating pest,” Rollins said. “The protection of our animals and the safety of our nation’s food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance.”

It's Not About Punishing Mexico

Rollins added that once the U.S. sees increased surveillance and eradication efforts and the positive results of those actions, the USDA will remain committed to opening the border to livestock trade.

“It’s not about politics or punishing Mexico, but rather it’s about food and animal safety,” the Secretary noted.

USDA noted the United States previously and successfully led the eradication of NWS in the U.S. and Mexico, however this cost billions of dollars and took decades.  Unfortunately, these recent detections in Mexico show that this dangerous pest is back and remains a serious threat to the health of our animals, our food supply, and the security of our country.

Background on New World Screwworm virus

• The first case of NWS in Mexico was reported to the U.S. in November 2024. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.
• In November 2024, after a positive detection of NWS in southern Mexico, USDA shut down the border for live animal trade.
• In February 2025, USDA resumed imports after APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and steps to mitigate the threat of NWS.
• Over the last two years, screwworm has spread north throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and now Mexico.
• APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on Southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America. A complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by NWS as well as more detailed information on trade restrictions can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions Website.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com