Canada bans cattle from Texas

Canada has banned cattle from Texas because two New World Screwworms have crossed the border from Mexico.

The worms lay eggs and when the larvae hatch, they burrow into flesh, including not only cattle, but also humans.

In response to last week’s discovery of New World screwworm in Texas, Canada has banned livestock imports from the state.

“Animals that originate from or were present in the State of Texas within 21 days prior to border crossing will not be accepted into Canada,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) stated in a release. “

States including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Montana have issued emergency regulations tightening veterinary requirements for imports of livestock from Texas.

Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University’s extension livestock marketing specialist, described Canada’s import ban as “a largely symbolic political move as it will affect a very small volume of trade.”

After originating in Panama in 2022 and spreading north through Mexico in the ensuing years, New World Screwworms were found on June 3 in Texas, then later one in New Mexico and another one in Texas.