Following New World Screwworm detection, Mexican livestock union complains of illegal cattle imports, calls for protocol changes

Posted: Monday, November 25, 2024. 9:35 pm CST.

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Regional Livestock Union of Chihuahua (RLUC) has raised serious concerns about the illegal importation of approximately 700,000 head of cattle from the south, in a clear reference to Guatemala. This issue follows the recent detection of a case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Chiapas, Mexico. The detection of NWS, a parasitic fly larva that infests the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, was confirmed at an inspection checkpoint in Catazajá, near the border with Guatemala, heightening concerns about the risk to livestock health in Mexico.

The detection of the NWS case in Chiapas occurred last Thursday, November 21, the same day that Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, José Abelardo Mai, was visiting the neighboring state of Quintana Roo to collaborate with Mexican authorities. During the visit, he updated them on the measures Belize is implementing to contain the NWS disease. Minister Mai highlighted the importance of international cooperation to ensure the health and safety of livestock.

Belize’s Minister of Agriculture, José Abelardo Mai, visited Chetumal in the neighboring state of Quintana Roo last Thursday, November 21, 2024, to update Mexican authorities, concerned about the pest, on the measures Belize is implementing to contain the NWS from entering the country. Photo Credit: MAFSE

The RLUC’s complaint stated that these illegal imports, conducted by companies purchasing cattle for fattening, pose a significant threat to the million or so livestock farmers in Mexico. The RLUC has formally complained to Mexican federal authorities and other relevant organizations, urging immediate action to address this issue.

The RLUC emphasized that the illegal cattle imports endanger the entire Mexican cattle population, benefiting only a few companies while putting the broader livestock industry at risk. At the same time, they have called on the authorities to revise the stringent importation protocols, which they argue contribute to the rise in illegal imports.

Belize, which legally exports cattle to Mexico under these stringent conditions, faces challenges due to these strict importation requirements.

Meanwhile, the Belizean Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Enterprise (MAFSE) is diligently working to prevent the New World screwworm from entering the country. NWS is already present in all of Central America except El Salvador and Belize, and MAFSE has been using substantial resources to combat this threat.

The RLUC’s call for changes in importation protocols aims to strike a balance between protecting animal health and maintaining fair and legal trade practices. Belize, too, stands to benefit from revised regulations that would ease the burden on legitimate exporters while continuing to safeguard against threats like NWS.

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The post Following New World Screwworm detection, Mexican livestock union complains of illegal cattle imports, calls for protocol changes appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.

Posted: Monday, November 25, 2024. 9:35 pm CST. By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Regional Livestock Union of Chihuahua (RLUC) has raised serious concerns about the illegal
The post Following New World Screwworm detection, Mexican livestock union complains of illegal cattle imports, calls for protocol changes appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.