Mexico to tighten cattle flows from south, rules out shutting border over screwworm

MEXICO CITY, May 13 (Reuters) - Mexico will tighten the flow of cattle from the south of the country to limit the potential spread of the screwworm, the nation's agriculture minister said on Tuesday.

The screwworm, which can kill cattle or other hosts within weeks, has recently been detected in the south of Mexico and has caused the U.S. to suspend cattle imports from its neighbor.

Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue, speaking at a regular press conference alongside President Claudia Sheinbaum, ruled out closing Mexico's southern border to cattle from Central America, but acknowledged it will take a long time to eradicate the pest.