During a working tour of Washington, D.C., Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos held meetings with U.S. officials and representatives to address issues related to livestock, trade, and border security.
In a meeting with Congressman Tony Gonzales, representative of Texas’ 23rd District, the state leader raised the need to change the narrative on the Gulf Spotworm (GBG) and highlighted the importance of binational cooperation in livestock farming. The meeting was also attended by Álvaro Bustillos, president of the Chihuahua Regional Livestock Union (UGRCh), who requested the legislator’s support for the port of Ojinaga to be included in the list authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as it is currently the only one in the state without export authorization.
The governor extended an invitation to the congressman to visit Chihuahua and learn about health prevention measures, as well as the operation of the C7—a security coordination center—and the flow of livestock exports.
As a result of the meeting, it was agreed that the Ministry of Rural Development will be the direct liaison with the congressman’s team to maintain communication on the GBG situation and coordinate health efforts.
In another meeting, Campos Galván met with Michael Watson, director of the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, to whom she presented the main actions implemented by her administration to contain the GBG plague, detected in six southern states of Mexico. Among the measures mentioned are an investment of 20 million pesos in training for producers, monitoring in 46 municipalities, and the hiring of specialized personnel.
The governor also met with Mexico’s ambassador to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma, to report on these actions and coordinate diplomatic efforts on livestock issues.
The authorities agreed to continue exchanging information and best practices as part of a joint strategy to prevent the spread of the worm and ensure the health of livestock.
The meetings were attended by Mauro Parada, Secretary of Rural Development; Fernando Álvarez Monje, Chief of Staff to the Governor; Arturo Sarukhán, former Mexican ambassador to the United States; and other representatives of the livestock sector.
