USDA Mission to Visit Mexico Amid Efforts to Lift Cattle Import Suspension
May 28, 2025 – A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) delegation is set to travel to Mexico in the coming days as part of efforts to evaluate measures aimed at controlling the New World screwworm outbreak, Mexico’s agriculture ministry announced Tuesday. The visit could lead to the lifting of the current U.S. suspension on Mexican cattle imports.
The United States halted imports following the detection of the screwworm, a parasitic insect that burrows into the flesh of livestock and can be fatal if left untreated. In response, Mexico has implemented aggressive containment and eradication strategies to stop the pest’s spread and protect its cattle industry.
In a video conference on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins expressed satisfaction with Mexico’s control efforts during discussions with her Mexican counterpart. According to Mexico’s agriculture ministry, the USDA mission will assess these measures on the ground before making a final determination regarding the import ban.
The outcome of the visit is expected to play a key role in resuming cross-border cattle trade, a vital economic link for both countries. Officials on both sides expressed optimism that the temporary restrictions could soon be lifted if Mexico’s progress meets USDA standards.
