Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that they do not agree with the US decision to halt imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico due to the New World disease (screwworm). Sheinbaum emphasized that Mexico is contributing to efforts to eradicate this pest through cooperation.
The suspension, announced Sunday by US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, covers imports from the southern border and will be re-evaluated monthly.
However, Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegué stated that an agreement was reached to apply this restriction for only 15 days. Sheinbaum reiterated this point at a press conference this morning: “Minister Berdegué has already spoken with Minister Rollins and suggested a 15-day period so that we can continue our work on the issue. We believe this decision is unfair and hope it will be lifted as soon as possible,” he said.
Although the US side found Mexico’s measures insufficient, Sheinbaum strongly opposed this. “We don’t have to react to every comment from the US Secretary of Agriculture. Mexico is not anyone’s piñata,” she stated.
She also downplayed the economic impact of the ban, stating that the effects would be limited due to its short duration.
