### Illegal Cattle Imports Threaten Mexico’s Livestock Health
Each year, around 800,000 cattle are being smuggled into Mexico from Central America, providing a lucrative income of about $320 million for criminal networks. This illegal trade jeopardizes the health of Mexico’s livestock industry, according to agribusiness analyst César Rafael Ocaña. The director of NexusAgronegocios highlighted findings from a 2022 InSight Crime report, emphasizing that the national cattle industry is at risk due to these illegal imports, which come at lower prices and uncertain sanitary conditions, given the lax border controls at Mexico’s southern frontier.
In response to a screw-worm outbreak detected in Chiapas and other parts of Central America for the first time in 30 years, the United States government has halted the importation of Mexican beef. Although a protocol to resume exports has been introduced, including pre-inspections and quarantines with necessary treatments, the health measures at the southern border have seen minimal changes except for actions targeting the fly responsible for the screw-worm infestation.
“This lack of control impacts Mexican cattle farmers’ profitability, stalls exports, and drives prices down, which only benefits intermediaries and large-scale industrial feeders,” Ocaña stated. He urged the implementation of consistent sanitary policies to safeguard domestic producers, restore international market trust, and strengthen the national economy.
Cattle exports from northern Mexico to the United States are carried out under stringent health protocols, representing a market of approximately $1 billion annually. Export volumes range between 900,000 and 1.3 million cattle, subject to various data sources.
Ocaña called on federal and state governments alongside regional cattle unions to fortify measures to stop illegal cattle entry, enforce rigorous health checks at critical points, bolster cattle traceability through the National Livestock Identification and Traceability System (SINIIGA), and persist with the eradication program for the screw-worm at the southern border.
“Time is of the essence. Protecting animal health and the livelihood of over 800,000 cattle farmers requires firm and immediate decisions. The future of Mexican livestock depends on it,” Ocaña declared.
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### Additional Developments: New Animal Health Protocols and Border Control Measures
Amid the ongoing challenges with illegal cattle imports, new efforts are being launched to secure Mexico’s livestock health. The government is reportedly working on enhancing border security protocols to better monitor and control the illegal cattle trade. This includes deploying additional veterinary inspectors at border points, increasing resources for customs officers, and utilizing advanced technology such as drones and surveillance systems for better monitoring of remote border areas.
Furthermore, partnerships with neighboring Central American countries are being formed to address the root causes of illegal cattle trade and to implement joint efforts in veterinary health standards. These initiatives aim to create a more robust and collaborative regional strategy to combat issues affecting the livestock industry.
International stakeholders have expressed support for these measures, recognizing the significance of safeguarding cattle health not only for Mexico but for global markets that rely on Mexican exports. As this situation develops, continuous updates are expected on the effectiveness and progress of these new protocols.