Mexico agriculture minister says reached 'beneficial' agreements with US counterpart
Former regional head of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, Julio Berdegue, who will head the Mexico's agriculture ministry in the incoming government , poses for a photo during an interview with Reuters, in Mexico City, Mexico June 28, 2024. REUTERS/Paola Garcia/File Photo
MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue said on Tuesday he met his U.S. counterpart Brooke Rollins in a "friendly" meeting in Washington during which they reached agreements he said would be beneficial to both countries.
Berdegue, who did not offer details about the agreements in his post on X, said the two countries would increase dialogue for ongoing and emerging issues.
Relations have been strained between the two countries recently over the handling of a damaging pest called New World screwworm after the U.S. threatened to limit cattle imports from Mexico.
Screwworm can infest livestock, wildlife and in rare cases, people. Maggots from screwworm flies burrow into the skin of living animals, causing serious and often fatal damage.
Trade frictions have also surfaced between the two trading partners over a decades-old water sharing treaty under which Mexico has struggled to deliver on its obligations.
Last week, both governments announced an agreement that Mexico would increase its water shipments, which the U.S. has said are vital for Texas farmers.
(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison; Editing by Natalia Siniawksi)
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