The screwworm is a pest that affects warm-blooded living animals, entering through open wounds.

However, according to Alonso Fernández Flores, president of the National Association of Federal Inspection Type Establishments (ANETIF) , there is no risk to consumers for products processed under the TIF system.

“It has been a major issue, but fortunately, products produced in TIF plants have a 100% guarantee that there will be no risk. When a product enters the TIF system, it begins in a slaughterhouse with federal inspection, complying with all safety and quality standards. It’s impossible for consumers to be affected thanks to the protection this system offers,” he stated in an interview.

Fernández Flores stated that, in the case of exports to the United States, the majority of shipments are value-added , such as processed and cooked products, which further reinforces food safety controls.

The president of ANETIF emphasized that the Mexican meat industry is strategic at the national level , ranking as the eighth largest producer in the world , with more than 11 million tons of meat per year .

“Chicken is the most consumed protein in Mexico, followed by pork and beef. We currently have 443 TIF establishments , which guarantee quality and safety in production. The sector not only supplies the domestic market, but also generates foreign currency and employment, and we are the main supplier of food to the United States,” he explained.

However, he acknowledged that structural challenges persist, such as limited cold storage infrastructure, high logistics costs, and security issues .

“We must understand and address these challenges to continue growing and consolidate Mexico’s position in the international market,” he added.

In this context, during the third regular session of the ANETIF Board of Directors, held in Mexico City, a binational plan was signed between Mexico and the United States that includes surveillance measures, regionalization, and the use of innovative technologies , such as the release of sterile flies, which will contribute to containing the plague and regaining the confidence of international markets, Fernández stated.

“We at ANETIF welcome this agreement, as it represents a firm step toward protecting the national livestock heritage and ensuring the competitiveness of the Mexican meat industry globally,” said the president of ANETIF.

During the session, José Luis Meza Villarreal, director of Investor Group , presented an economic overview of the meat sector, noting that the industry faces unprecedented challenges due to factors such as insecurity, water shortages, limited financing, geopolitical risks, and the threat of re-emerging pests.

However, it also identified opportunities for 2026, where added value (30%) , market diversification (25%) , the application of new technologies (20%) , sustainability (15%) and global alliances (10%) will make the difference in the competitiveness of the Mexican industry.

Among the key innovations he mentioned are Artificial Intelligence ( AI) for carcass inspection, robotic butchering, real-time animal health monitoring, and optimized feeding , which will enable smarter and more sustainable production.

Alonso Fernández emphasized the need to prepare new talent to face the industry’s challenges , announcing training programs promoted by the ANETIF Foundation , including the diploma in Sustainability for the Meat Industry, which began on August 21 in collaboration with the Monterrey Institute of Technology, as well as an international internship in Canada.

He also noted that TIF certification is an essential requirement for export and a globally recognized distinction.

“Today we export to more than 74 countries, including the United States, Japan, and Korea, but we are negotiating for other markets. The TIF seal has opened those doors for us and is a key driver of growth for the industry. That’s why it’s essential to continue promoting it and for consumers to know what’s behind that seal,” he stated.

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El cargo Mexico-US alliance protects meat industry against screwworms apareció primero en T21.

Mexico must strengthen its cold chain to meet the demand for animal protein consumption , which continues to grow and is estimated to reach 470 tons by 2050, opening up opportunities for the meat industry , since all products must be kept refrigerated or frozen .

This was stated by Alonso Fernández Flores, president of the National Association of Federal Inspection Type Establishments (ANETIF) , in the presentation Panorama and projections of the animal protein industry , during the Cold Chain Connection , organized by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) .

He added that when discussions are held to open or close markets nationally or globally, the key is to consider whether a good cold chain exists, since a lack of optimal conditions can destroy a company’s reputation and even international trust in a country.

The president of ANETIF considered that in Mexico, the meatpacking industry has a high development potential, since the current capacity is not sufficient nor is it growing at the rate of meat consumption , which is why they are looking for companies committed to certification and with products in a position to be able to export , since the TIF System is the first requirement that must be met in order to sell abroad, for which efficient and auditable cold storages are needed.

Alonso Fernández emphasized that the TIF System currently has 443 establishments, 110 warehouses with other activities, and 110 cold storage facilities , which are insufficient, since there are areas of Mexico with no presence of cold chain companies, mainly in the south and southeast of the country.

He pointed out that there is a gray area or one that is underserved, such as cold transport , which is responsible for transporting the product from the distributor’s plants to the point of export  . In light of the doubts and challenges they face, such as road insecurity , a working committee was created to find solutions to this problem.

“It’s a huge challenge, but we’ve been working with sister associations and the National Agricultural Council (CNA) on this issue, and a couple of weeks ago we held a meeting with the Secretary of Public Security and the Undersecretary of Intelligence. We discussed the transportation sector’s concerns, such as road safety, with them. A pilot plan was established through 089 to report these situations and address them,” explained Fernández Flores.

During his presentation, the specialist emphasized the increase in consumption of poultry , pork and beef and exports to 64 countries, with the United States , Japan , South Korea and Canada being the main markets.

“In 2024, there was an increase in animal protein consumption, representing more than 11 million tons of poultry, pork, and beef, placing Mexico as the eighth largest meat producer, the leading supplier of food to the United States, and recording an agricultural surplus of more than seven million dollars,” he emphasized.

For his part, Federico Assaleih Ortiz, president of the Veracruz Agricultural Council, in the presentation “Perspectives on Trade, Resilience and Expansion in the Face of the Global Crisis ,” pointed out that geopolitical conflicts , which are increasing and affecting the movement of goods ; climate change , which is seriously affecting the agricultural sector; the aftermath of the pandemic in terms of inflation and connectivity, since people are not moving around and are no longer going out as before; and changes in consumption and communication habits are causing hunger among the world’s population.

“We are experiencing food insecurity, and it has long been a mission of the United Nations (UN) to try to achieve zero hunger. There is an entire plan that is unfortunately failing because more and more people around the world are experiencing food insecurity,” he asserted.

He added that in the 2024 UN study of the 53 countries at risk of food insecurity , Mexico is among them. This reveals the existence of 295 million people in a food crisis situation , either not having enough food or experiencing a zero-food situation , which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic .

In 2016, only 11% of the world’s population was at risk of food insecurity, and today it stands at 22%, because the greater the number of people, the more food is needed, and if food production doesn’t grow at the pace needed, food prices will become more expensive.

“Furthermore, we are experiencing one of the three price crises recorded in the last 25 years. The first two were due to oil shortages, the second to energy issues combined with climate change, and this third to the closure of the supply chain, which exacerbates the challenges for marketing products,” noted Federico Assaleih Ortiz.

He considered that although Mexico is the main producer of sugar cane , lemon , avocado , beer , mango , berries , meat and bakery products , 2025 will be the worst year for the production of grains and oilseeds , since 275 thousand hectares will be left without crops for various reasons, mainly due to water shortages , inflation and rising international prices .

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The appearance of a case of screwworm in Chiapas has generated uncertainty in the country’s livestock sector, since the scope of the threat it represents is unknown, in response to which the National Association of Federal Inspection Type Establishments (ANETIF) proposed some preventive measures for beef producers, and the United States has suspended the importation of Mexican cattle as a precautionary action .

In this regard, Alonso Fernández Flores , president of ANETIF, indicated that biosecurity measures on ranches and establishmentsmust be reinforced , as well as establishing continuous inspection protocols for animals and products, and participating in monitoring and control campaigns organized by the authorities.

In addition, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) temporarily suspended the importation of live animals originating in or transiting through Mexico.

“This could have a strong impact on the market and generate a contraction in the supply of beef, which will affect various sectors, but it could also open opportunities for producers and marketers of other proteins,” stressed the president of ANETIF.

Given the uncertainty surrounding this case, Fernández said that support will be strengthened for his more than 20 beef producer and marketing partners to deal with this situation, and noted that health authorities are already working on containment and eradication measures.

He added that to this end, they have requested a meeting with the National Service for Health, Safety and Agri-Food Quality (SENASICA) in order to obtain detailed information and ensure the collaboration of their association in the control strategies.

“We reiterate our commitment to protect the integrity of the national meat industry and the interests of our members and we will be in constant communication to update them on the progress and measures taken,” said Alonso Fernández.

It is worth remembering that the United States is the main destination for exports of Mexican meat and products. In 2023, Mexico exported 258,940 tons of beef to its northern neighbor, which represented a value of 1.85 billion dollars .

In 1991, the World Organization for Animal Health (WHO) declared Mexico free of this plague, caused by a larva that feeds on the live flesh of warm-blooded animals.

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