Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins today
announced the immediate closure of southern border ports to livestock trade in
response to the escalating threat of New World Screwworm spreading northward from
Mexico. The decision follows urgent calls issued last week by R-CALF USA and 19 of
its affiliate organizations to halt livestock imports until Mexico has fully
eradicated the disease within its borders. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard issued the
following statement: “We applaud Secretary Rollins for taking swift, necessary
action to protect the health of the U.S. cattle herd and the integrity of our
nation’s food supply. American cattle producers and R-CALF USA have been sounding
the alarm about what we viewed as a premature reopening, and it’s clear the
secretary has heard the voice of independent producers. “This is what it looks like
to put America first, not cave to global trade interests. Closing the border isn’t
just justified, it’s essential.”