The United States will suspend imports of live cattle from Mexico for at least two weeks to assess strategies against the screwworm, a fatal parasite recently found in southern Mexico, as stated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized that protecting animal health and food safety is a national security issue, while Mexico’s Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué expressed confidence in reaching a resolution despite disagreeing with the measure. The screwworm, which can cause severe damage to warm-blooded animals, has spread north from Central America, prompting heightened surveillance and control efforts.
