In a dramatic move to protect the American cattle industry, Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins warned Mexico that the US would halt imports of live animals, including cows and bison, if Mexico does not intensify its efforts to combat dangerous pests creeping north.
In a letter sent Saturday and obtained by Fox News, Secretary Rollins either fought the spread of the New World screw bugs or faced serious economic consequences of the border, in order to notify the Mexican government and act immediately.
The USDA has set a solid deadline on April 30 to address Mexico's growing crisis.
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“If these issues are not resolved by Wednesday, April 30th, the USDA must inform you that it will restrict imports of live cattle, bison, or animal goods transported to horses or horses transported to Mexico, or to protect the interests of the US agricultural industry,” Rollins wrote.
New World Screwworms, meat-eating fries whose larvae can destroy livestock populations, are rapidly spreading from Central America to southern Mexico. USDA officials have long relied on sophisticated sterile insect technology (SIT) programs using aircraft specifically equipped to use specially equipped aircraft to contain sophisticated pests. But that strategy is currently at risk.
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Brooke Rollins will be attending a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing on January 23rd in Washington, D.C. (AP photo/Jaclyn Martin)
At the heart of the conflict is Dynamic Aviation, a carrier contracted by the US government, responsible for dispersing aircraft. According to the letter, Mexican aviation authorities limit the operation of dynamics to six days a week under a temporary 60-day permit. This says it undermines the urgent 24-hour response required by the USDA to stop the screwworm's advance.
Even more troublesome, Rollins said Mexican customs officials are imposing large import duties on critical supplies such as sterile fly, aviation parts and dispersing equipment. These delays are expensive and threaten to crippling campaigns when speed is most important.
Aerial view of a cow detained in a livestock federal pen in the Chihuahua region at the intersection of the Jeronimo Santa Teresa border in Mexico, Mexico, Mexico, Mexico. (Christian Torres/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Rollins is calling for immediate action from Mexico, including long-term operational clearance for dynamic aviation, full exemption from all emergency materials, and the appointment of advanced level liaisons to high-speed truck solutions.
Rollins warns that he has lost every day, giving the screwworm a great foothold, risking destroying American ranchers and the wider agricultural economy.
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To save cooperation, Rollins has returned to the trajectory by proposing an emergency US-Mexico summit with government leaders, technical experts and operating partners.
The message from Washington is clear. Mexico must move to strict new trade restrictions designed to protect the US food supply and agricultural communities.
