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Minnesota Ag Commissioner watching trade impact of New World screwworm spread

The head of Minnesota’s Department of Agriculture is concerned the arrival of New World screwworm in the southern U.S. could have trade ramifications.

Commissioner Thom Petersen tells Brownfield.

“This isn’t new for Minnesota, dealing with high-path avian influenza for quite a while (and) having trade stipulations put on. So we’re very familiar with that.”

He says it’s important for consumers to understand screwworm is not a food safety issue.

“But it is, for trade, for markets, if you’re a farmer or rancher, watching what that does. It’s been an issue for awhile here as the Mexican border has been closed to cattle. So as we look at that, we look at answering those questions about trade (and) we’ll have to continue to see.”

Canada has imposed temporary livestock import restrictions focused on areas affected by New World screwworm.