Why cattlemen say Trump talk of Argentine beef imports is no solution

Cattle ranchers in Texas and around the country are concerned that the screwworm, a parasitic fly that was once eradicated in the U.S., is threatening a comeback from the Mexican border and recent talk from President Donald Trump about importing beef from Argentina is no long-term solution for a beef supply chain already under stress or consumers who have watched beef prices hit record levels.

The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of warm-blooded animals. The larvae then hatches from the eggs and burrows into tissue of animals to feed on them. If caught early, the sick animal can be treated and survive. Human cases are rare but can be painful and require medical attention. In August, the the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a st