Agriculture Secretary Threatens Barring Animal Imports from Mexico
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins is threatening to restrict animal imports originating or transiting Mexico starting on April 30 if the country doesn't follow through with plans to work with the U.S. government to eradicate the New World screwworm, a pest that can infest livestock, according to an April 26 letter published on USDA's website.
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"The situation requires immediate attention and decisive coordination at the highest levels of your Government," the letter read. "I must inform you that if these issues are not resolved by Wednesday, April 30, USDA will restrict the importation of animal commodities, which consist of live cattle, bison, and equine originating from or transiting Mexico to protect the interest of the agriculture industry in the United States."
Rollins contends that the Mexican government is failing to keep up "our shared campaign against this pest" by not fully deploying sterile insect technique operations in southern Mexico aimed at eradicating the pest.
Specifically, Rollins says the Mexican government is restricting air carriers contracted by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service from fully deploying aerial releases of a pesticide.
Rollins also says Mexican customs authorities are "imposing substantial import duties on critical aviation parts, dispersal equipment, and sterile fly shipments," even though those materials and operations are being fully funded by the U.S. government.
Rollins is asking the Mexican government to eliminate the restrictions on aircraft contracted by APHIS and to waive customs duties on eradication equipment.
"An NWS infestation in the U.S. will result in significant losses to livestock industries. The U.S. successfully led the eradication of NWS in the U.S. and Mexico, but recent detections in Mexico show that this dangerous pest is back and remains a serious threat," said USDA's press release on the letter. "Ongoing vigilance and control efforts are critical to prevent its spread northward and protect animal health and agriculture."