The U.S. will lift its suspension on Mexican cattle imports starting August 24, more than a year after the ban was imposed due to an outbreak of New World screwworm in Mexico.
The Department of Agriculture announced the decision Friday. The border reopening will begin at the Douglas, Arizona, crossing, which connects to Agua Prieta in Mexico’s Sonora state. Additional crossings at Santa Teresa and Columbus in New Mexico will follow, though no specific dates were provided.
Inspections and joint action plan
Under the new arrangement, Mexican cattle entering the U.S. will be subject to a joint action plan and undergo inspections to prevent the spread of screwworm larvae. The parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, targets warm-blooded animals, including livestock and humans.
Despite the ban, cases have been detected in Texas and southeastern New Mexico, with over 30 reported since last month. In Mexico, the outbreak has spread to 29 of the country’s 32 states, with 1,792 active cases as of official figures.
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The decision to resume imports follows months of coordination between authorities on both sides of the border. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed in a social media post that she was notified of the move in a letter from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Sheinbaum described the agreement as an example of cooperation with mutual respect between the two nations.
Rollins stated in the USDA announcement that conditions were now safe to reopen the Arizona crossing. Mexico’s livestock sector has faced multimillion-dollar losses due to the suspension.
Outbreak persists despite restrictions
The reopening arrives as both countries continue battling the parasite’s spread. In Mexico, the outbreak was first detected in November 2024. While containment efforts have reduced transmission in some areas, new cases have emerged in Chihuahua, where five were recently reported.
Sheinbaum said Mexico would speed up preparations to resume cattle movements through Sonora and later Chihuahua. The USDA did not specify whether additional safeguards would apply to shipments from higher-risk regions.
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For ranchers near the border, the announcement provides relief after months of uncertainty. Some remain cautious, noting that the parasite’s presence in the U.S. could trigger renewed restrictions if cases rise again.
The agency has not clarified whether the reopening will be phased or if all eligible cattle will cross immediately. Inspections at Douglas will serve as an initial test for the new protocols, with officials evaluating results before expanding to other ports of entry.
Screwworm infestations can be fatal if untreated. The larvae burrow into living tissue, causing severe wounds that attract secondary infections. Human cases are rare but require prompt medical care.