Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly criticized the United States government for reimposing a ban on cattle imports from Mexico, describing the decision as "completely exaggerated" and economically harmful following the detection of a New World screwworm case in Veracruz state.
"From our point of view, they took a completely exaggerated decision in closing the border," Sheinbaum stated during a Thursday press conference, expressing frustration over Washington's swift action to halt live animal imports.
The ban, announced late Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, implements an immediate suspension of all cattle, horse, and bison imports through southern border ports. U.S. authorities justified the measure as a necessary precaution to prevent the reintroduction of the screwworm pest, a dangerous parasitic fly that was eradicated from U.S. territory more than 40 years ago.
This development adds new tension to cross-border trade relations, particularly affecting the livestock industry where producers depend heavily on smooth commerce between both nations. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains that the screwworm outbreak presents a significant threat to biosecurity and animal health, necessitating border closure to prevent northward spread of the pest.
Mexican officials argue the infection has been contained and insist they are working closely with international veterinary organizations to prevent further spread. President Sheinbaum called for rational dialogue based on scientific evidence rather than political considerations.
"We cannot allow isolated incidents to lead to decisions that harm thousands of producers and disrupt long-standing trade relations," the Mexican president emphasized.
This is not the first disruption to cattle trade between the nations. A similar incident in late 2024 resulted in temporary closure of key ports including Douglas, Arizona. Those restrictions were lifted only after coordinated pest containment efforts and enhanced surveillance by Mexican authorities.
The USDA has not yet announced a timeline or specific conditions under which the border might reopen for livestock trade.
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