(NAFB.com) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced support for the USDA’s decision to close the southern U.S. border to cattle, bison, and horse shipments. The move was made due to the continued northward spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico. “USDA’s border closure was avoidable,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “U.S. government officials, NCBA, and leaders from affiliated state cattle industry associations have been sounding the alarm for months.” He also said it’s unfortunate that the Mexican government created unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles that rendered prevention efforts ineffective and allowed the screwworm cases to spread unchecked beyond control points in southern Mexico. NCBA acknowledged that the border closure will create economic harm for U.S. farmers and ranchers, and create supply chain disruptions, but the costs will be far less than if the screwworm crosses into the United States and we are forced to fight the devastating pest on U.S. soil.
