When the screwworm threatens your livestock festival
It seems that Nuevo León is in “save the cows” mode (and no, it’s not a new reality show). The Northeast Cattle Fatteners Association (AEGBN) announced that, together with Senasica, they will implement a Screwworm Prevention and Control Protocol. Basically, it’s like when your mom checked you from head to toe before going out, but in a bovine version and with more ivermectin.
The protocol: stricter than a club guard
Héctor de Hoyos, president of the AEGBN, explained that each cattle that arrives in the state will be subjected to a bureaucratic interrogation (documents, earrings, criminal records… well, not that last one). In addition, there will be ivermectin baths and cage washing, because nothing says “welcome” like a good spray of dewormers. “We will check each head to make sure it doesn’t have any wounds,” said De Hoyos, because, obviously, a cow with a cut is like a magnet for these cow-eating worms (literally).
And although it sounds like “military operation”, the reality is that they cannot guarantee that the plague will not arrive. They’re just trying to delay the inevitable, like when you put off that call to the dentist. “We are the first interested in avoiding implications in the production chain,” said De Hoyos, because, of course, nobody likes to lose money (or cows).
The international drama: when the US lets you down
Meanwhile, The United States continues with its policy of “not a contaminated beef in my territory”. Since December 2023, vetoed imports of Nuevo León livestock, alleging “lack of control in the records” (that is, they lacked organization, like us with the annual declaration). And although other states such as Sonora or Chihuahua can still export, Nuevo León remains on the black list. The reason? The screwworm, which arrived in Mexico in November 2024 and since then has been the protagonist of this agricultural drama.
To make matters worse, in May, the US closed the border to all Mexican livestock for 15 days (renewable, like those gym memberships that you never cancel). This has already affected exports: between January and April, they fell by 60%. Imagine what it would be like if it spread… #PrayForLasVacas.
Moral? If you are a cow in Nuevo León, prepare for chemical baths and TSA-style searches. If you’re a rancher, cross your fingers. And if you’re the screwworm, you better stay away, because you’re not welcome here (although, let’s be honest, it always finds a way to sneak in).
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