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Investing.com -- Mexico has escalated its efforts to combat the damaging New World screwworm pest, according to a statement from President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday. The move comes in response to a warning from the U.S. administration that it may limit livestock imports from Mexico if the country does not step up its fight against the pest.
The warning was issued by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins in a letter on Saturday. Rollins criticized Mexico for limiting the operations of a company hired to conduct aerial spraying to eliminate the pest to just six days a week. The letter also mentioned "burdensome customs duties" imposed by Mexico on parts needed to keep the planes operational.
In response to the U.S. administration’s warning, Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue responded to Rollins on Sunday via social media, although the details of his response were not disclosed.
President Sheinbaum addressed the issue at her regular morning press conference on Monday. She stated that Mexico is amplifying existing control systems throughout the country, starting from the southern border, to prevent the spread of the screwworm.
The New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest livestock and wildlife, and in rare instances, humans. The maggots from screwworm flies burrow into the skin of living animals, inflicting serious damage that can often be fatal.
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