WASHINGTON — The US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that cattle, bison and equines from Mexico will once again be eligible to enter the United States through a phased reopening of risk-based ports beginning as early as July 7.
On May 11, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended imports of live cattle, bison and equines from Mexico into the United States due to the threat and rapid northward spread of New World screwworms (NWS).
Throughout June, experts from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) conducted onsite assessments of Mexico’s NWS response efforts.
Rollins reported that progress has been made across several critical areas since closing the ports in May.
“At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico,” she said. “We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the southern border to livestock trade. We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers.”
The reopening of ports will follow as scheduled:
- Douglas, Ariz. – July 7
- Columbus, NM – July 14
- Santa Teresa, NM – July 21
- Del Rio, Texas – Aug. 18
- Laredo, Texas – Sept. 15
After each reopening the USDA will evaluate the ports to ensure no adverse effects arise. Specifically, APHIS will monitor the number of cases, potential northward movement of NWS, Mexico’s continued efforts to curb illegal animal movements, and the implementation of further rigorous inspection and treatment protocols.
The Douglas port presents the lowest risk based on the geography of its southern neighboring state, Sonora, Mexico, USDA said. Also in its favor is a long history of collaboration between AHPIS and Sonora on animal health issues.
Keeping a close eye on movement of animals across the border, the United States is only admitting cattle and bison that were born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua, or that were treated according to cattle and bison NWS protocol when entering states eligible for import.
The USDA added that reopening the Del Rio and Colombia Bridge ports will be contingent on Coahuila and Nuevo Leon adopting the same NWS protocols for cattle and bison as those now required of Sonora and Chihuahua for cattle or bison entering those states.
Meanwhile, equines are eligible to import from anywhere in Mexico, granted that they quarantine for seven days at the port of entry. Approved equine facilities are available at the Santa Teresa port and will be available for entry of horses once that port reopens.
Steps toward eradication
In order to restore live imports of cattle, bison and horses from Mexico, the USDA has actively been working with Mexico’s National Department of Health, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA).
The USDA noted that, although Mexico has made great progress on animal movement controls and surveillance, the United States needs to see additional progress for ports to reopen, including enhanced animal movement controls to stem illegal animal movements from the south. Robust surveillance and NWS risk mitigations beyond check points is also critical, the agency said.
Progress that has already been made includes the dispersal of sterile NWS flies seven days a week, equating to more than 100 million flies each week.
This week, Mexico is beginning renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa, which is expected to be completed by July 2026. The renovation will allow for production of between 60-100 million sterile NWS flies every week. With a goal of producing 400-500 million flies a week, this facility’s upgrade is an important step in the right direction.
On the home front, the USDA announced earlier this month that it is investing $8.5 million in a sterile NWS fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base, Edinburg, Texas.
The state of Texas is also getting proactive in addressing the threat of NWS. Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Animal Health Commission and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to develop a joint Texas NWS Response Team.
Regarding Rollins’ latest announcement, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said, “I would like to thank President Trump, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, and their team at the USDA for their smart, data-driven decision to reopen US ports to cattle, bison and equines from Mexico. Agricultural producers and our rural economies depend on this cross-border commerce, and reopening our ports with strong, science-based protocols in place is the right decision. The USDA’s approach balances strong animal health safeguards with the urgent need to get our livestock trade moving again. Hats off to Secretary Rollins for getting this done for our ranchers across the nation.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) also provided its latest support for the measure from the USDA.
“NCBA and our state affiliates have spent months working with USDA to safeguard the U.S. cattle industry from the threat of New World screwworm,” said Colin Woodal, chief executive officer for NCBA. “Today’s announcement to reopen key ports of entry is a measured, thoughtful approach by Secretary Rollins to allow some trade while also ensuring the American cattle industry is protected from this pest.”
