Mexico halts most live animal imports from US over screwworm
Suspension follows confirmed cases in Texas and New Mexico
10 June 2026
1 minute read
By: Mexico will stop most imports of live animals from the US after cases of the flesh-eating screwworm pest were confirmed in Texas and New Mexico, Reuters reported, citing Mexico's agriculture ministry on Tuesday.
The suspension applied to cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, goats and several other species of animals, the ministry said, adding that the decision was taken in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Mexico, which has registered more than 28,200 cases of screwworm since November 2024, said it aimed to protect its cattle herd in the northern states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Chihuahua and Sinaloa, where there are currently no confirmed cases of screwworm.
The US has confirmed five cases of screwworm since June 3.
