International News: Following 2-year pause, Mexico resumes cattle exports to U.S.

By Zoila Palma:  Mexico resumed live cattle exports to the United States on Monday after a lengthy suspension linked to a screwworm outbreak, bringing relief to ranchers whose businesses have suffered under the restrictions.

The reopening, however, comes with strict controls aimed at preventing the spread of the flesh-eating pest, AP reports.

Hundreds of cattle crossed from Agua Prieta, Sonora, into Douglas, Arizona, after Mexican and U.S. authorities conducted inspections, including checks with trained dogs to ensure the animals were free of screwworm.

The new export protocol also requires cattle to carry radio-frequency identification tags, with scanners installed to track the animals.

Screwworm larvae come from the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, which lays eggs in open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals.

The larvae feed on living tissue, causing painful and potentially serious wounds.

The pest entered Mexico in November 2024 and has since spread to 30 of the country’s 32 states, while cases have also been detected in Texas and New Mexico. Mexico currently reports 1,937 active cases.

Under the new agreement, cattle shipments into Arizona will initially be limited to 700 animals per day, rising to 900 next week and 1,300 the following week.

Despite the reopening, U.S. cattle supplies remain at their lowest level in about 75 years, with an estimated shortfall of 1.2 million cattle contributing to higher beef prices.

Mexico is also strengthening cattle-tracing systems and continuing efforts to control the outbreak through the release of sterile flies in key cattle-producing states.

The post International News: Following 2-year pause, Mexico resumes cattle exports to U.S. appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.