US Imposes Restrictions on Cattle Imports from Mexico

The US government has announced a significant restriction on cattle imports from Mexico following concerns over the spread of the destructive screw-worm fly, a pest that poses serious risks to livestock and wildlife.

US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins issued a warning to her Mexican counterpart on Saturday, stating that the US would impose further limitations on animal product imports if the Mexican government does not intensify efforts to combat the screw-worm fly by next Wednesday.

Rollins, in a message posted on social media platform X, criticized Mexico for reducing the operational days of a contracted aerial spraying service, now operating just six days per week, and for imposing high tariffs on essential supplies needed for continued pest control operations.

The screw-worm fly is a parasitic pest that feeds on the flesh of living animals, including cattle, causing severe, often fatal damage.

While the larvae primarily affect livestock and wildlife, there have been rare cases of human infestations as well. The fly has been a significant threat to the cattle industry, which has seen a decline in exports to the United States as a result.

Before the screw-worm infestation, Mexico was the largest exporter of cattle to the US. In the past month, the US imported just 24,000 head of cattle from Mexico, a sharp drop from approximately 114,000 head during the same period the previous year, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The US had previously banned shipments of Mexican cattle in November 2024 after the discovery of the screw-worm infestation, only to lift the ban in February 2025 after implementing new health protocols for evaluating the animals' condition before entry into the country.