By Jamie Martin
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has once again halted the importation of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico in an effort to protect the nation's livestock from the New World Screwworm.
The decision comes after the pest, first identified in southern Mexico last November, has continued moving north and is now reportedly within 700 miles of the U.S. border.
This is the second time Secretary Rollins has taken action on this issue. In November, Secretary Rollins initially closed the border after Mexico confirmed the presence of the pest. Although imports resumed in February under a mitigation protocol, the recent detection of the screwworm in new areas prompted renewed restrictions.
R-CALF USA, a leading trade group representing independent cattle and sheep producers, has long pushed for tough regulations on livestock imports from regions where harmful diseases and pests are present.
The organization previously sued the USDA over its decision to reopen the Canadian border following multiple BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) cases between 2004 and 2008.
At the time, USDA emphasized restoring trade relations, even if it meant accepting a higher disease risk something R-CALF USA strongly opposed.
The group has also criticized the USDA for permitting beef imports from countries where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is still active, including Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. Despite these objections, the agency has continued to allow such imports.
However, R-CALF USA praised Secretary Rollins' recent decision as a positive shift in USDA policy.
“It is clear that Secretary Rollins is willing to act decisively to protect the health of America’s cattle and sheep herds, as exemplified by her actions first taken in November and again yesterday in response to this New World Screwworm threat,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.
“We commend the secretary for her action, knowing it is necessary to prevent serious financial injury to our domestic livestock industries, and we pledge our support for her ongoing efforts to help Mexico eradicate this dangerous pest.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: National