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EXCLUSIVE: Cattle industry chief warns flesh-eating fly menaces US herds as Mexico yields on pest fight

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Fox News
Apr 30
EXCLUSIVE: Cattle industry chief warns flesh-eating fly menaces US herds as Mexico yields on pest fight

Context:

The U.S. cattle industry faces a significant threat from the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating fly, which has been advancing through Mexico. President of the NCBA, Buck Wehrbein, highlights the urgency of action from Mexico, crediting the Trump administration and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for their aggressive measures. Despite recent progress, including Mexico's agreement to allow U.S. planes to release sterile flies, the crisis is not fully resolved with American herds still at risk. Bureaucratic hurdles and delays in Mexico had previously hindered eradication efforts, leading to a stern ultimatum from the USDA to halt cattle imports if cooperation was not secured. The situation underscores the need for the U.S. to enhance its domestic biosecurity measures and reduce reliance on international cooperation for pest control.

Dive Deeper:

  • Buck Wehrbein, president of the NCBA, warns of the dire threat posed by the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that can cause fatal wounds to livestock, as it advances through Mexico towards the U.S.

  • The Trump administration and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have been praised for their decisive actions against the outbreak, but with an impending deadline, the risk to American cattle remains significant.

  • The U.S. and Mexico have historically used a sterile insect technique to control screwworm populations, but recent bureaucratic interference from Mexico delayed crucial fly-release operations.

  • In response to Mexico's failure to uphold its part in the eradication effort, the USDA threatened to halt imports of live cattle and other livestock, putting pressure on Mexico to cooperate.

  • Following pressure from the U.S., Mexico agreed to allow U.S. planes to land for sterile fly releases, marking a victory for American ranchers, though uncertainties remain regarding import duties and operational days.

  • The ongoing crisis has emphasized the importance of the U.S. developing its own domestic supply of sterile flies to avoid dependency on other countries' cooperation.

  • Wehrbein, reflecting on his leadership role in the cattle industry, underscores the need for vigilance, cooperation, and leadership to protect the industry from such biosecurity threats.

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