Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2025. 2:17 pm CST.
Cattle for export to Mexico – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: Despite mounting concerns over the spread of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, Belize’s cattle exports to its northern neighbor remain unaffected, following assurances from Mexican authorities that their southern border will remain open to Central American imports.
On Sunday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced an immediate suspension of all live cattle, horse, and bison imports from Mexico, citing the growing threat of NWS, a destructive parasite that burrows into the flesh of livestock and other animals. The decision, widely supported by the U.S. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), aims to prevent the pest from crossing into the United States, where it was eradicated in 1966 through the sterile insect technique.
The U.S. ban triggered swift responses from Mexican officials, who sought to minimize disruptions while addressing biosecurity concerns. Mexico’s Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Julio Berdegué Sacristán, confirmed that Mexico will implement stricter restrictions on cattle movement within the country but will not close its southern border to imports from Central America.
“We are going to be restricting cattle movement from the south of the country much more tightly,” Berdegué Sacristán stated. “Closing the border is a complex issue that needs to be carefully analyzed because it also impacts the national meat supply.”
Berdegué Sacristán also pointed to the role of the United States in containing NWS when it was south of Panama, noting that the U.S. operates the only plant that produces sterile flies used to control the pest.
“The NWS got away from them. It traveled more than 3,700 kilometers until it made its way to Mexico,” he said, adding that the parasite was detected in Mexico on November 24, 2024.
He acknowledged that the previous Mexican administration had stepped up containment measures from the moment NWS appeared in Panama. In May 2024, when it became clear that efforts to stop its advancement were failing, Mexico activated a preventive campaign. Then in July, as NWS moved closer to Mexico, the Manuel López Obrador government activated a national emergency plan to implement a series of controls.
Berdegué Sacristán said that when the Sheinbaum government took over in October 2024, it approached the U.S. Agriculture Secretary and intensified cooperation efforts to prevent further spread.
Additionally, Berdegué Sacristán emphasized that all cattle moving within Mexico are inspected as part of ongoing efforts to control NWS. He also confirmed that Mexico began dispersing sterile flies in November 2024 to contain the parasite’s advance. He stated that Mexico is currently receiving 100 million sterile flies per week, which are dispersed in designated areas agreed upon in coordination with the United States Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Mexico’s decision to keep the southern border open preserves a critical trade route for Belize’s cattle industry, which was valued at $90 million in 2023. In 2024, Belize exported 5,848 head of cattle valued at $9.4 million BZD to Mexico, a figure that would have been jeopardized had Mexico opted for a full border closure.
Mexico’s decision to keep the southern border open preserves a critical trade route for Belize’s cattle industry, which was valued at $90 million in 2023. In 2024, Belize exported 5,848 head of cattle valued $9.4 million BZD to Mexico, a figure that would have been jeopardized had Mexico opted for a full border closure.
The clampdown comes as Mexico and the U.S. clash over the length of the suspension. While Mexican officials claim they agreed to a 15-day halt with the U.S. government, U.S. authorities have indicated a more flexible “month-by-month” approach, creating uncertainty in an already strained beef supply chain.
NCBA has blamed corruption in Mexico for the northward spread of NWS, warning that the pest had been identified just 700 miles south of the U.S. border, prompting urgent preventive measures.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed hope that the economic impact of the suspension would be limited, emphasizing that her government is complying fully with U.S. demands.
For Belize’s livestock producers, Mexico’s commitment to keeping its southern border open offers relief, though Belize Livestock Producers Association (BLPA) continues to monitor developments closely. Should further restrictions emerge, Belize’s cattle sector—already navigating complex regional trade dynamics—may need to adapt swiftly to protect its economic interests.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Belize’s cattle exports to Mexico to continue amid regional border clampdowns appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, May 15, 2025. 2:17 pm CST. Cattle for export to Mexico – Photo Credit: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise By Rubén Morales
The post Belize’s cattle exports to Mexico to continue amid regional border clampdowns appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.