The Mexican government is stepping in to support cattle ranchers in three northern states as the U.S. ban on livestock imports continues to affect the industry.
Sonora, Coahuila, and Durango will benefit from assistance through Plan Mexico, which aims to enhance domestic beef production with federal investments and technical support. President Claudia Sheinbaum highlighted the plan’s focus on strengthening Mexico’s own meat production to decrease dependency on exporting cattle to the U.S.
“We intend to bolster our local beef industry,” Sheinbaum announced at a recent conference in Mexico City. “While the border remains shut, we have a forthcoming agreement with the United States addressing this closure, which includes technical criteria for its reopening.”
The halt on Mexican livestock imports by the U.S. Department of Agriculture began on July 9 due to concerns about New World Screwworm infestation, a parasitic larva that targets livestock wounds.
Jesus Brigido Coronel, leading Mexico’s Beef Producers Association, mentioned on Radio Formula that ranchers are experiencing losses of $30 million per month since the ban. He stated that Mexican authorities are actively engaged in discussions with the U.S. to manage the screwworm issue.
The discussions focus on releasing more sterile flies to prevent the screwworm from reproducing, alongside efforts by both nations to improve herd management.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollings was in South Texas this month to outline a sweeping plan that includes more U.S. oversight of Mexican verification activity and better reporting of possible cases. It also calls for locking down animal movement to prevent further spread.
