• The U.S. suspends live cattle imports from Mexico for at least two weeks due to screwworm concerns.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum calls the suspension "unfair" and worries about economic repercussions.
• The screwworm can cause severe damage to livestock and humans, prompting health alerts in Mexico.

The United States has announced a suspension of live cattle imports from Mexico for at least two weeks after detecting the screwworm pest in shipments. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the decision aims to protect the safety of the nation’s food supply and animal health. Rollins emphasized, "The protection of our animals and safety of our nation's food supply is a national security issue of the utmost importance," underscoring the urgency due to recent infections detected in areas close to the U.S. border, including Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away, according to CBS News.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has characterized this suspension as "unfair," expressing concern that it might lead to further economic harm to Mexico, which is already navigating tariff threats from the U.S. She stated, "We do not agree with this measure,” highlighting that the Mexican government has actively worked to manage the screwworm's spread since its detection. As reported by LA Times, the U.S. had previously lifted a suspension implemented in late November and reinstated it due to the ongoing northward advance of the pest.

The USDA has pointed to the "unacceptable northward advancement" of the screwworm as justification for the latest suspension. The screwworm is known for infesting warm-blooded animals, leading to severe tissue damage, which could also affect humans, as indicated by a recent health alert following a human infection case in Chiapas. As noted by South China Morning Post and Newsweek, this has contributed to heightened scrutiny on livestock health and safety protocols involving cattle shipments moving across the border.