USDA Secretary Announces Agreement with Mexico on Beef Parasite

May 05, 2025

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Monday that Mexico had come to an agreement with the U.S. for handling the New World screwworm. Over the weekend, the USDA secretary threatened to halt beef imports from Mexico if the country did not take more steps to respond to the spread of the New World Screwworm. This screwworm is a deadly parasite that spreads by burrowing into the living flesh of an animal. This parasite has spread to humans in rare cases.

In her letter to her Mexican counterpart, Secretary Rollins wrote, “If these issues are not resolved by Wednesday, April 30, USDA will restrict the importation of animal commodities, which consist of live cattle, bison, and equine originating from or transiting Mexico to protect the interest of the agriculture industry in the United States.”

“Every delay in granting full operational authority and eliminating customs barriers undermines our collective ability to carry out this emergency response,” the USDA secretary added.

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Video: What It Takes to Stop African Swine Fever - Dr. Jishu Shi

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Jishu Shi, Professor of Vaccine Immunology at Kansas State University, discusses African swine fever prevention and vaccine development. He explains why ASF differs from classical swine fever and swine influenza, how the disease threatens trade and pork production, why immunization safety remains a critical hurdle, and what producers can do now to reduce the risk of introduction. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Before a safe and efficacious vaccine for ASF can be commercialized, what we really have is prevention."

Meet the guest: Dr. Jishu Shi is Professor of Vaccine Immunology and the Dr. Wayne & Hilda Appleton Endowed Professor at Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. He directs the Center on Biologics Development and Evaluation and the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health. A veterinarian and vaccine immunologist, Dr. Shi has focused on vaccines for pigs and has worked on African swine fever vaccine development, control, diagnostics, and international training since 2018. Learn more from Dr. Jishu Shi on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.