Fact Check: USDA suspends imports of live cattle from Mexico due to screwworm threat.

Fact Check: USDA Suspends Imports of Live Cattle from Mexico Due to Screwworm Threat

What We Know

On May 11, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the immediate suspension of imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico. This decision was made in response to the rapid northward spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, which has been detected as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border (USDA, APHIS). The USDA's Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are collaborating on this measure, which will be reviewed on a month-by-month basis until containment is achieved (USDA).

The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that infests the flesh of living animals, causing severe damage and potentially leading to death. The USDA has previously dealt with NWS outbreaks, and the current situation is considered a significant threat to livestock health and food safety in the United States (CIDRAP, ABC News).

Analysis

The announcement from Secretary Rollins is corroborated by multiple credible sources, including the USDA and APHIS, which provide detailed information about the NWS outbreak and the rationale behind the import suspension. The USDA's official press release outlines the detection of NWS in remote areas of Mexico and emphasizes the need for immediate action to protect U.S. livestock (USDA).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are official government communications. Furthermore, the urgency of the situation is supported by reports from agricultural and health news outlets, which highlight the potential economic and health impacts of the NWS spread (CIDRAP, Ag Proud).

While some sources may have varying degrees of detail, the core information regarding the suspension of imports due to the NWS threat remains consistent across all reports. This consistency lends further credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that the USDA has suspended imports of live cattle from Mexico due to the New World Screwworm threat is True. The decision was officially announced by Secretary Rollins, supported by credible sources, and reflects a necessary response to a serious agricultural health threat.

Sources

1. Secretary Rollins Suspends Live Animal Imports Through Ports of ... - USDA
2. New World Screwworm Outbreak in Central America and Mexico - aphis.usda.gov
3. USDA suspends southern border livestock imports over New World ... - CIDRAP
4. Screwworm threat halts cattle imports from Mexico - MSU Extension
5. USDA suspends livestock imports from Mexico over screwworm - AG Daily
6. US bans livestock imports from Mexico due to spread of flesh-eating ... - ABC News