Last week, the USDA reversed course on comments that it may let cattle imports from Mexico into the U.S. resume before the year-end holidays.
It suspended those imports in November due to discovery of the New World screwworm in Mexico.
The agency says it’s approved a second round of emergency funding to block the flesh-eating livestock pest from getting into the U.S.
“Shipments will likely resume incrementally after the New Year, with a full resumption of live animal imports soon after the calendar turns to 2025,” says Dr. Rosemary Sifford, USDA’s Chief Veterinary Officer.
Jenny Lester Moffit, the USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, had previously told Reuters that imports could still resume in late December.
The USDA is reaching into Commodity Credit Corporation funding to aid in the fight against the screwworm in Mexico and Central America, Moffit added.
It approved $109.8 million in funding last year.
