USDA Throws Down the Gauntlet: Stop Flesh-Eating Flies or Say Adiós to Mexican Beef Imports

America’s cattle industry is on high alert as the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a stark ultimatum to Mexico: get a handle on the New World screwworm outbreak or risk a full stop on live animal imports into the United States.

In a letter dispatched Saturday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins warned Mexican officials they have until April 30 to ramp up efforts against this flesh-eating fly. If not, U.S. ports will close their gates to cattle, bison, and more—a recipe for economic chaos at the border.

The New World screwworm is no ordinary pest. Its larvae devour livestock flesh, and the potential damage could cost American ranchers millions. The U.S. has spent decades and a small fortune eradicating this nightmare from American soil, only to see it crawling back from Central America into southern Mexico.

For years, the USDA has relied on sterile insect technique—think planes dropping sterile flies like confetti—to keep the screwworm at bay. But recent restrictions from Mexican aviation authorities are throwing a wrench in the works, limiting these crucial flights to just six days a week and adding layers of red tape that stall emergency responses.

To make matters worse, Mexico’s customs offices are reportedly slapping duties on sterile flies, aviation parts, and dispersal gear—all paid for by U.S. taxpayers to safeguard both countries’ herds. Flights have even been denied landing permission or tangled up in paperwork, further delaying the fight against the pest.

Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, threw his weight behind Secretary Rollins’ stance, highlighting that Americans have already invested millions to keep screwworms at bay. "We can’t stop this without Mexico’s participation," he declared, emphasizing the need for urgent international teamwork.

Rollins is demanding Mexico grant Dynamic Aviation—the U.S. contractor handling fly dispersals—long-term clearance to operate, waive all emergency duties, and appoint a senior official to cut through the bureaucracy. She also floated an emergency U.S.-Mexico summit to get everyone back on the same page.

The message is crystal clear: if Mexico doesn’t act—and fast—America’s food supply and rural communities could take a serious hit. Every day lost is another win for the screwworms. And honestly, if you ever doubted that flies could cause a diplomatic crisis, this would be the time to reconsider.