US to Reopen Border to Mexican Cattle Imports

The United States has announced that it will begin lifting the suspension on Mexican cattle imports on August 24, more than a year after it imposed the measure due to the spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture made the announcement in a statement, stating that the reopening of cattle imports from Mexico will begin at the Douglas, Arizona border crossing, which borders Agua Prieta in Mexico’s Sonora state.

The statement also mentioned that the necessary steps will be taken for the subsequent reopening of the Santa Teresa and Columbus border crossings in New Mexico, although it did not specify dates.

The suspension on Mexican cattle imports was put in place due to the detection of the New World screwworm in Mexico in November 2024. The parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, attacks warm-blooded animals, including humans.

In Mexico, the screwworm outbreak has spread to 29 of the country’s 32 states, with 1,792 active cases reported, according to official figures. Despite the ban, the screwworm was detected last month in Texas and southeastern New Mexico, with more than 30 cases reported to date.

U.S. authorities stated that imports of Mexican cattle will be subject to compliance with a joint action plan, and the animals will undergo inspection in the U.S. to prevent the entry of screwworm larvae.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her gratitude to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for the decision, stating that it is an example of ‘dialogue, cooperation, and collaboration with mutual respect between Mexico and the United States.’

Sheinbaum also mentioned that Mexico will accelerate its efforts to be ready to resume the movement of cattle through Sonora and subsequently through the border state of Chihuahua, where five cases of screwworm were recently reported.

The Mexican livestock sector estimates that the suspension led to multimillion-dollar losses, highlighting the importance of the decision to lift the suspension.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that it is now safe to reopen the crossing through Arizona, citing the progress made by Mexico in controlling the screwworm outbreak.

The decision to lift the suspension on Mexican cattle imports is seen as a positive step towards improving trade relations between the two countries.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to ensure the safe importation of Mexican cattle.