The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will launch a coordinated, phased reopening of southern cattle ports, contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the Joint Action Plan.
Beginning August 24, USDA will open the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry to cattle trade, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for subsequent openings at the Santa Teresa, New Mexico; and Columbus, New Mexico, ports. Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of New World screwworm (NWS).
“The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds-year-old movement of cattle.”
For many years, Sonora and Chihuahua have maintained a strong animal health infrastructure program, built on the backs of successful animal disease control measures. While the rest of Mexico has not been able to stop the spread of the screwworm or stop legal and illegal movement, Sonora and Chihuahua have a track record of success in these spaces.
USDA proposes a phased reopening of Southern ports to livestock trade, contingent upon satisfactory progress on priority Action Plan milestones.
Sonora and Chihuahua are identified as the lowest-risk Mexican states for NWS due to their strong, well-established inspection programs and their geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated.
On August 24, USDA will reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port, which borders Sonora, to livestock trade. The closest active case to this port is approximately 325 miles detected on July 22. After evaluating the success of the initial reopening and potential impacts or risk assessment changes, APHIS will then consider reopening the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Columbus, New Mexico, ports to live cattle, bison and horses.
The reopening timeline will remain flexible and may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting action plan milestones and addressing critical issues.
The opening of ports may be paused if USDA identifies increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua via post-opening audits or other observations/information.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the decision to allow a limited resumption of cattle importation from Mexico but expressed continued concern about the ongoing disruption to the U.S. cattle industry due to NWS.
“Resuming cattle importation from Mexico is the right move for ranchers and American consumers, but it's a decision that should have been made sooner,” Miller said in a statement. “While I'm pleased to see this important trade relationship restored, the prolonged closure has already taken a toll on producers, disrupted supply chains and created uncertainty that could have lasting consequences for the cattle industry.”
