Mexican Government Restricts Livestock Movement to Prevent Spread of Beetle Disease

The Mexican government has announced plans to restrict the flow of cattle from the southern part of the country to prevent the spread of a disease caused by a beetle that can kill livestock within weeks. The move comes after the US suspended imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico. The Mexican minister of agriculture, Julio Berdegue, ruled out the possibility of closing the southern border to cattle from Central America, but acknowledged that eradicating the pest would take a long time.

The Mexican government has implemented restrictions on cattle movement from the southern part of the country, aiming to prevent the spread of a deadly disease caused by the New World Screwworm (NWS) beetle. This move follows the U.S. suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico, effective immediately, due to the continued northward spread of NWS [1].

NWS infestation occurs when the fly larvae burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage. The disease can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, and occasionally humans. The Mexican Agriculture Secretary, Julio Berdegue, ruled out the possibility of closing the southern border to cattle from Central America but acknowledged that eradicating the pest would take significant time [2].

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken the step to restrict livestock imports through southern border ports of entry. This action is part of a broader effort to limit the northbound transport of NWS through livestock commerce and to reassess current mitigation standards. The USDA is utilizing the USDA Tick Riders to monitor livestock and wildlife along the southern border region for the presence of NWS [1].

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has expressed support for the USDA's decision, noting that the current situation is a threat to the entire U.S. livestock industry. NCBA CEO Colin Woodall stated that the Mexican government's failure to address the issue has left the U.S. with no alternative but to close the border until the outbreak is contained [2].

The economic impact of these restrictions is expected to be significant for both countries. The NCBA acknowledged that while the border closure will create economic harm for U.S. farmers and ranchers, the costs will be far less than if NWS crosses into the U.S. and forces a fight on U.S. soil [2].

The Mexican government is committed to eradicating the pest and has been working in collaboration with the USDA. The USDA has been releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America [1].

The USDA's suspension of livestock imports will persist on a month-by-month basis until a significant window of containment is achieved. The U.S. and Mexico are continuing efforts to interdict and eradicate NWS in Mexico, with daily communication between the teams to improve the strategy toward eradication [1].

References:
[1] https://www.beefmagazine.com/market-news/u-s-suspends-live-cattle-imports-at-southern-border
[2] https://www.axios.com/2025/05/11/screwworm-us-suspends-cattle-horse-bison-imports-mexico