Mexico and US Coordinate to Reopen Border for Meat Exports

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico and the United States are coordinating efforts to combat a parasitic worm outbreak and reopen the border for meat exports.

The resolution of this agricultural crisis is critical for the Mexican economy, as the United States has halted imports of Mexican livestock and meat for approximately one year ^[1]. This trade freeze impacts thousands of producers and disrupts the primary supply chain for beef and other meat products crossing the border.

Sheinbaum said the two nations are working to manage the resurgence of the barrenador worm, also known as the screwworm. The parasite causes severe infections in livestock, leading the U.S. to implement strict import bans to protect its own agricultural sector from infestation.

"México y Estados Unidos mantienen coordinación para enfrentar la plaga del gusano barrenador," Sheinbaum said ^[2].

The president's comments come amid a broader effort to stabilize trade corridors. While the focus remains on the biological threat, the administration is monitoring the metrics of the recovery process. Sheinbaum said that while some publications mentioned a figure of 66% ^[3], the more recent data from the last month reached nearly 74% ^[3].

The Mexican government is implementing control measures to eradicate the pest and ensure that livestock meet the sanitary requirements demanded by U.S. inspectors. These actions are intended to provide the necessary guarantees that the barrenador worm is under control, allowing the trade of meat products to resume.

Both nations are utilizing shared veterinary and agricultural expertise to map the spread of the infestation. This cooperation is designed to prevent the parasite from establishing a permanent presence in North American livestock populations, a scenario that would cause long-term economic damage to both countries.