WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nineteen national, state, and county cattle associations representing 13 states sent a letter today urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to delay the resumption of live cattle imports from Mexico until the New World Screwworm (NWS) is fully eradicated within its borders and a comprehensive, science–based risk assessment is completed and made available for public review through a formal notice and comment process.
The letter notes that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has described NWS as a “devastating pest that causes serious and often deadly damage to livestock, wildlife, pets, and in rare cases, humans.” The department also warned that the disease “can have catastrophic impacts on U.S. agriculture and animal and public health.”
The groups cite the recent explosion of NWS outbreaks in Panama as evidence of failed containment efforts, noting that the parasite has since advanced into Mexico. As of June 21, 2025, USDA confirmed multiple NWS detections within Mexico’s borders.
According to the letter, the USDA’s plan to reopen southern livestock ports lacks sufficient risk data. While the agency described the Arizona port as presenting the “lowest risk,” the groups stated there was no explanation or quantification of how that risk was assessed or measured.
The letter states that when even a low subjective risk of a foreign animal disease or pest is known to result in catastrophic consequences, as in this case, the Secretary of Agriculture is required to take every precaution to protect the domestic livestock industry and public health. Under the Animal Health Protection Act, the USDA has a legal responsibility to prevent foreign pests and diseases from entering the United States.
The cattle organizations urge the USDA to continue helping Mexico to eradicate the NWS and state that Mexico’s NWS outbreak underscores the need for the United States to reduce its reliance on foreign supply chains for cattle and beef–dependencies that threaten national security.
The letter states that with U.S. cattle prices reaching levels that encourage herd expansion and new market entrants, USDA’s continued enforcement of prevention measures would help protect livestock and human health. It also states that a secure market will likely drive the rebuilding of the domestic cattle herd, boost domestically produced supplies and move the United States closer to self-sufficiency in animal protein production.
The organizations are calling on Secretary Rollins to maintain the prohibition on live cattle, bison, and equine imports from Mexico until NWS is fully eradicated. They also urge USDA to develop a thorough, science-based risk assessment and to allow for public review before considering the reopening of the border to Mexican livestock imports.
Groups that joined the letter include: Buckeye Quality Beef Association, Ohio; Calaveras County Cattlemen’s Association, California; Cattle Producers of Washington; Colorado Independent CattleGrowers Association; Independent Beef Association of North Dakota (IBAND); Independent Cattlemen of Missouri; Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska; Independent Cattlemen of Wyoming; International Texas Longhorn Association; Iowa Stock Growers Association; Montana Cattlemen’s Association; Northern Wisconsin Beef Producers; Oglala Sioux Livestock and Landowners Association, South Dakota; Ohio River Valley Texas Longhorn Association; Oklahoma Independent Stockgrowers Association; R-CALF USA (Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America); South Dakota Stockgrowers Association; Southern Colorado Livestock Association; and Stevens County Cattlemen’s Association, Washington.
