The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday it will lift a yearlong ban on cattle imports from Mexico, reopening several southern ports of entry in a phased approach starting Aug. 24. The decision follows efforts to contain the New World Screwworm (NWS), a flesh-eating parasite that spread into Texas earlier this year but has since been controlled with only nine active cases confirmed in the U.S. as of Saturday.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The USDA will first reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port on Aug. 24, followed by Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Columbus, New Mexico, contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the USDA’s Joint Action Plan. Every imported animal will undergo full USDA inspections to ensure it is free of NWS. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated the closure was necessary to protect the U.S. livestock industry, which the USDA estimates at a multi-billion dollar value.
Deeper Dive & Context
Control Measures and Risk Assessment
The USDA identified Sonora and Chihuahua as the lowest-risk Mexican states for NWS due to their strong inspection programs and geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum directed local authorities to speed preparations for the reopening, with exports resuming through Agua Prieta, Sonora, and two additional points in Chihuahua.
Economic and Agricultural Impact
The U.S. typically imports over 1 million head of cattle from Mexico annually, roughly 5% of animals processed in American plants. The screwworm outbreak threatened this trade, prompting the USDA to close multiple ports last year. Livestock traders noted that Arizona and New Mexico ports are farther from heavy infestations in Mexico, reducing immediate risk compared to Texas crossings.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Steps
The USDA emphasized that protecting the U.S. from NWS and eradicating the pest in Mexico remains a top priority. The phased reopening will allow for continued monitoring and adjustment based on Mexico’s compliance with the control plan.