Canada bans Texas cattle over flesh-eating screwworm outbreak in US

June 6, 2026

Canada has imposed a temporary ban on livestock imports from Texas following the discovery of flesh-eating screwworms in two calves this week, marking the state's first cases in six decades. The parasitic flies lay eggs in open wounds of warm-blooded animals, and the hatching larvae burrow through living tissue, eventually killing their hosts if untreated. Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster due to the imminent threat to the state's agricultural industry, warning the outbreak will likely spread during summer months.

Who is affected

Livestock (cattle and horses) in Texas, particularly in La Pryor and Zavala County
Texas farmers and the Texas agricultural industry
Canadian farmers who import US cattle
US-Canada cattle trade (involving 550,000 cattle imported to Canada in 2025)
Warm-blooded animals and potentially people in affected areas
Pet owners who travel to Texas

What action is being taken

Canada's food inspection agency is banning livestock from Texas that were in the state within 21 days before border crossing
US officials are testing suspected cases of screwworm infection
The USDA has enacted quarantines, movement controls, and surveillance in a 20km-wide control zone
Texas is directing more resources to affected areas
Canadian officials are warning farmers to monitor livestock for wounds
US agriculture and health officials are planning to release hundreds of millions of genetically altered sterile flies
Officials are using sniffer dogs to identify the parasite in cattle

Why it matters

This outbreak represents a significant threat to Texas's agricultural industry, as the state is the leading US beef and cattle producer. The parasites can kill warm-blooded animals if left untreated, potentially devastating livestock populations and disrupting the substantial two-way cattle trade between the US and Canada. The outbreak's emergence after 60 years of absence in Texas, combined with its movement through Central America and Mexico, signals a broader regional agricultural crisis that could spread during warmer months and impact food security and economic stability in affected regions.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC