Deadly Pest Threat Forces U.S. to Halt Mexican Livestock Imports

The Trump administration has temporarily stopped livestock imports from Mexico due to the spread of New World Screwworm, a parasite deadly to animals and costly to agriculture. The move aims to protect the U.S. cattle industry from devastation last seen decades ago.

Key Facts:

The U.S. has halted imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico due to the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS).
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the suspension on Sunday, calling the parasite a national security threat to food safety.
The parasite’s larvae burrow into living flesh, affecting pets, livestock, birds, wildlife, and rarely, humans.
NWS has been detected as far north as 700 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border on remote Mexican farms.
The USDA and Mexico are collaborating on surveillance, treatment, and sterile insect release to stop the outbreak.

The Rest of The Story:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, working with Customs and Border Protection, has immediately stopped the import of live animals that may be exposed to the New World Screwworm.

The parasite was reported in Mexico last November and has since spread northward.

Officials are concerned that if NWS crosses the southern U.S. border, it could take decades—and billions of dollars—to eradicate again.

The USDA says animals currently held at ports will be inspected and treated before entry.

Meanwhile, the import ban will be evaluated monthly and lifted only once effective containment is shown.

The cooperative response includes surveillance and education, movement control, and releasing sterile flies to reduce the pest population.

The U.S. previously eliminated NWS in the 1960s, and Mexico in the 1970s, but the threat has returned with a vengeance.

🚨 The U.S. and Mexico continue efforts to interdict and eradicate New World Screwworm in Mexico and work in good faith. However, there has been unacceptable northward advancement of this deadly parasitic fly. Effective immediately @USDA_APHIS and @CBP will restrict imports of… pic.twitter.com/p6ErDgj9vO

— Dept. of Agriculture (@USDA) May 11, 2025

Commentary:

This decision is not just justified—it’s necessary.

The New World Screwworm is no ordinary pest.

It’s a parasite that can devastate herds, hurt food production, and wipe out generations of work in the cattle industry.

Once it gets in, it doesn’t go away quietly.

Secretary Rollins is right to act fast and decisively.

Waiting for the pest to reach the U.S. border would be reckless.

By the time it’s detected here, the damage could already be done.

America’s ranchers don’t have the luxury of experimenting with delay.

This isn’t about punishing Mexico.

It’s about protecting American agriculture and food security.

The costs of past outbreaks were staggering.

The last time this parasite infiltrated U.S. herds, it took 30 years to fully recover.

That’s an entire generation of livestock producers dealing with the fallout.

The government’s plan to monitor, educate, and distribute sterile insects sounds thorough and proactive.

It shows that we’ve learned from the past.

Still, containment only works if our borders hold the line.

That means temporarily halting livestock movement until science and sanitation catch up.

Critics may argue this hurts trade, but short-term economic strain is far better than long-term collapse of a key sector.

The beef, dairy, and animal feed industries all depend on healthy herds.

A parasite like NWS doesn’t just harm one farm—it puts the entire supply chain at risk.

Let’s not forget: this is about national security, not politics.

Food security is a pillar of sovereignty.

A nation that can’t feed itself is vulnerable.

So this suspension, while inconvenient, is wise and responsible.

We can’t afford to gamble with the health of our livestock.

The Bottom Line:

The temporary ban on Mexican livestock imports is a precautionary but critical move to protect America’s cattle industry from a serious threat.

The New World Screwworm has a history of massive destruction, and swift action is needed to keep it out of the U.S.

The USDA is working closely with Mexican officials to fight the parasite, but until there is clear progress, keeping our borders closed to infected animals is the right call.

When it comes to protecting America’s food supply, prevention is always better than a long and costly cure.