Mexico says it is boosting efforts to curb screwworm pest

Mexico has been working to respond to a damaging pest called New World screwworm and is strengthening its efforts, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday.

US President Donald Trump's administration warned on Saturday that it will restrict livestock imports from Mexico if the Mexican government does not intensify its fight against the pest.

Washington's threat came in a letter from US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, which said Mexico had limited one of the companies hired to conduct aerial spraying to eliminate the pest to flying only six days a week and had imposed "burdensome customs duties" on parts needed to keep its planes in the air.

Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue said on social media on Sunday that he had responded to Rollins, without providing details.

Sheinbaum was asked about Mexico's response at her regular morning press conference.

"There are many control systems that already existed in Mexico, but now we are strengthening them starting from the southern border, and throughout the entire country, to prevent the spread," she said.

Screwworm can infest livestock, wildlife and in rare cases, people. Maggots from screwworm flies burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage.