Background on Key Figures and Context
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City and stand-in for Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, held a meeting with Brooke Rollins, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, at Palacio Nacional. The discussion focused on various agricultural challenges faced by both nations, including the spread of the cattle-infecting gusano barrenador (scabies mite).
The Gusano Barrenador Issue
In July, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended Mexican cattle exports due to a gusano barrenador outbreak, which Sheinbaum described as “exaggerated.” The suspension occurred amidst heightened tensions between the two countries over issues like immigration, security, and tariffs.
Control Measures
To curb the spread of this parasitic larva that feeds on live mammalian flesh, ranchers have been administering ivermectin to infected livestock. Additionally, authorities distribute sterile flies to reduce the gusano population in affected areas by decreasing larval reproduction.
Recent Concerns
By late September, a gusano barrenador case in Nuevo León, near the US border, raised concerns among authorities on both sides.
Collaborative Efforts
Earlier in the day, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER), met with Brooke Rollins to review progress on the joint campaign against gusano barrenador and outline actions for reopening Mexican meat exports to the US.
Importance of Binational Collaboration
Berdegué emphasized the significance of binational cooperation in sanitation and epidemiological intelligence, particularly concerning transboundary threats that could impact both countries’ livestock production.
Trade and Cooperation
According to SADER, both Berdegué and Rollins acknowledged the vital role of agroalimentary trade between Mexico and the US, ensuring industries and consumers access to high-quality, safe, and affordable insumos and products.
Export Figures
In 2024, Mexico exported over a million head of cattle to the US. However, trade was briefly halted that year due to the gusano barrenador issue.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who met with Brooke Rollins? Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico City, met with Brooke Rollins, the US Secretary of Agriculture.
- What was the main topic of discussion? The primary focus was on agricultural challenges, including the spread of gusano barrenador (scabies mite).
- Why was cattle export suspended between Mexico and the US? The USDA temporarily halted Mexican cattle exports in July due to a gusano barrenador outbreak.
- What measures are being taken to control the gusano barrenador? Ranchers are using ivermectin to treat infected livestock, and authorities distribute sterile flies to reduce gusano populations.
- What is the significance of binational collaboration in this context? Both countries recognize the importance of cooperation in sanitation and epidemiological intelligence to address transboundary threats affecting livestock production.
- How crucial is agroalimentary trade between Mexico and the US? Both nations acknowledge that this trade is a vital economic driver, ensuring access to high-quality, safe, and affordable insumos and products for industries and consumers.
