In a press conference on Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed disagreement with the U.S.’ decision to halt imports of Mexican cattle, horses, and bison due to the presence of the New World screwworm. She emphasized Mexico’s collaboration in eradicating the pest and stated that the suspension, as proposed by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, would be in effect on a “month-by-month” basis. However, Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue assured that the measure would only last for 15 days, a point reiterated by President Sheinbaum during her regular press briefing. She mentioned that Minister Berdegue had already discussed the issue with Rollins and suggested the temporary nature of the suspension to continue collaborative efforts. Sheinbaum criticized the decision as unfair and expressed hope that it would be lifted soon.
Last month, the U.S. and Mexico had agreed on strategies to address the New World screwworm, a pest that can cause severe harm to livestock and wildlife. Despite Mexico’s efforts, the U.S. deemed them insufficient, a viewpoint that Sheinbaum refuted. She emphasized the need for a thoughtful response rather than hasty reactions to statements made by U.S. officials, asserting that Mexico would not be treated as a target for criticism. Regarding the potential economic impact of the suspension, Sheinbaum hoped that the 15-day timeframe would minimize any significant financial losses for Mexico.
