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: CEOs of the Industry, A Conversation with Daniel Rivest, President & CEO, Olymel

Swine Web’s CEOs of the Industry series welcomes Daniel Rivest, President & CEO of Olymel, for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, the future of Canadian pork, and the opportunities ahead for one of North America’s largest pork and poultry processors.

Rivest discusses his journey to the CEO role, his leadership philosophy, and his early priorities at Olymel. The conversation explores the company’s strategic direction, its relationships with producers, and how Olymel is positioning itself for long-term growth and competitiveness.

The discussion also tackles some of the biggest issues facing Canadian pork production today, including labor availability, global competition, animal health, trade and export markets, automation, and the growing potential of artificial intelligence throughout the food production system.

Topics include:

• Daniel Rivest’s path to becoming President & CEO of Olymel

• Olymel’s current position and strategic direction

• The outlook for Canadian pork production

• Building stronger relationships with producers

• Global trade and key export markets

• Automation, innovation and artificial intelligence

• Leadership lessons and opportunities for the next generation

The conversation concludes with a Fast Five, giving viewers a more personal look at Rivest’s leadership approach and his vision for Olymel’s future.