Background on the Situation
The United States’ decision to temporarily halt the importation of live Mexican cattle due to a gusano barrenador (barber pole worm) outbreak has left thousands of northern ranchers in a precarious situation. Lorena Terrazas, a member of the customs agency Capin-VyBorny and Mexican meat commercializer, explains the economic impact, political tensions, and the urgency for coordinated action to prevent a larger ganadero (livestock) disaster.
Immediate Impact
Terrazas describes the immediate consequences: “We’re talking about 100,000 heads of cattle stuck at the border and losses exceeding $50 billion. According to data provided by Álvaro Bustillos Fuentes, president of our Unión Ganadera (Cattle Union), it’s absurd.”
Affected Regions and Ranchers
The US Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, announced the measure, directly impacting cattle-producing states like Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Tamaulipas. “In San Jerónimo and Ojinaga alone, 3,200 heads of cattle are stranded, resulting in $1.6 million in losses within just a few days,” Terrazas points out.
Chihuahua’s Critical Situation
Chihuahua, the leading exporter of live cattle (accounting for 40% of national production), faces a dire situation. “We’ve been dealing with severe drought for years,” Terrazas explains. “Ranchers haul water to their ranches, feed with pasture, and face exorbitant maintenance costs. This closure hits us directly.” Normally, 80% of Chihuahua’s cattle production is destined for the US market.
The Origin of the Problem
Terrazas emphasizes that the outbreak’s origin is not in the north but at the southern border, where ganado criollo (local cattle) from Panama and other regions with insufficient sanitary controls enter Mexico. “We have European breeds like Angus, Brangus, Hereford, and Charolais. This is high-quality meat. The issue lies with the uninspected southern criollo cattle,” she denounces.
US Support and Political Tensions
The US has offered support to contain the plague, including releasing 100 million sterile flies to eradicate the transmitting fly. However, Terrazas points out, “If the Mexican government doesn’t accept this help, we’ll have to wait.”
The situation escalated after human cases were reported in Chiapas and Veracruz, indicating insufficient sanitary controls at the southern border. “This means that ranchos, stockyards, and cattle movement in this region need to be thoroughly inspected,” she urges.
Terrazas also suggests that the border closure could have political undertones, as there’s no logical reason to reject technical assistance like sterile flies.
Future Prospects
As ranchers await the potential 15-day restoration of trade, Terrazas proposes exploring new markets. “We need to look towards other destinations. I’ve shipped cattle to Turkey, but they’re now closed. Eastern markets are blocked by conflicts, and China is saturated with Brazil, Argentina, and Australia. We must find new routes,” she says.
Terrazas also advocates for adding value to Mexican cattle products: “We should promote on-site fattening, slaughtering, packaging, and certifying high-value meat exports. Mexico produces premium beef, but we’re overly dependent on the US market,” she concludes.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the immediate impact of the US border closure? More than 5,000 heads of cattle daily crossed from Chihuahua to the US via Santa Teresa, Ojinaga, and Palomas ports. Now, all movement has ceased.
- Which states are most affected by this closure? Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Sonora, and Tamaulipas are heavily impacted as they are significant cattle producers for the US market.
- Why is Chihuahua’s situation critical? The state already faces severe drought, with ranchers struggling to maintain their herds due to high maintenance costs. The closure exacerbates these challenges.
- Where did the gusano barrenador outbreak originate? The problem stems from insufficiently inspected southern cattle imports, primarily from Panama.
- What support has the US offered to contain the plague? The US has proposed releasing 100 million sterile flies to eradicate the transmitting fly, but Mexico must accept this assistance.
- What are the future prospects for Mexican ranchers? Exploring new markets and adding value to Mexican cattle products are crucial steps for ranchers to navigate this challenging situation.
