Eastern North Carolina Ranchers Voice Concerns Over Proposed Argentine Beef Imports
CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A potential trade agreement allowing unrestricted beef imports from Argentina is raising anxieties among cattle ranchers in Eastern North Carolina,including the McCoy family,who have operated their farm near Cove City for nearly two centuries.
The proposed deal,initially considered by the Trump governance,has sparked worries about increased competition and potential price declines that could threaten the livelihood of local ranchers.While proponents suggest argentine beef could offer consumers lower prices,families like the McCoys fear a saturated market.
Beyond economic concerns, ranchers are also focused on the risk of reintroducing the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest eradicated in the United States in the 1960s but still present in regions like Argentina.
“I think the biggest thing is, if they [screwworms] do come up here, by then, all big cattle country would be about wiped out,” explained rancher Wyatt McCoy. “Like, if anything gets infected, gets a wound, anything, a screwworm will get in there and it will eat flesh. It will practically eat the calf alive.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken preventative measures, intermittently closing the border to imports of live cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico sence 2024 due to the spread of the screwworm. Currently,the USDA,in collaboration with Mexican authorities,is actively monitoring the situation with nearly 8,000 screwworm traps positioned along the southern border.
To date, more than 13,000 samples have been analyzed, and no screwworm flies have been detected.However, ranchers remain vigilant, emphasizing the potential devastation a re-emergence of the parasite could inflict on cattle herds and the regional agricultural economy.
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Changes made & Rationale:
* Headline: Focused on the core topic – the impact on ENC ranchers.
* Re-ordered Information: Streamlined the flow, leading with the ranchers’ concerns and then detailing the screwworm issue.
* Removed Redundancy: Eliminated repetitive phrasing.
* Clarified ”Trump Administration”: Phrased as “initially considered by the Trump administration” to avoid implying current action.
* Minor Wording Adjustments: Improved clarity and readability without altering facts.
* Maintained Accuracy: All names, dates, numbers, and the direct quote remain identical to the original article.
