The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), after extensive collaboration between USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm (NWS) surveillance, detection and eradication efforts, are set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports starting with Douglas, Arizona.
Progress has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11, including resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that has allowed USDA to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal 7 days each week and dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week. USDA also sent five teams of APHIS staff to visit/observe and gain a deeper understanding of Mexico’s NWS response and allow it the opportunity to share feedback. There has not been a notable increase in reported NWS cases in Mexico, nor any northward movement of NWS over the past eight weeks.
“At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World screwworm’s advancement in Mexico. 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,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers.”
While the Douglas, Arizona, port presents the lowest risk based upon the geography of Sonora and a long history of effective collaboration between APHIS and Sonora on animal health issues, USDA intends to reopen additional ports in New Mexico and, if it is proven safe to do so, in Texas, over the coming weeks. Additional port openings will be based on APHIS’ continuous re-evaluation of the number of cases and potential northward movement of NWS, Mexico’s continued efforts to curb illegal animal movements, and implementation of further rigorous inspection and treatment protocols.
Port reopening timeline
After each reopening, USDA will evaluate to ensure no adverse effects arise.
- Douglas, Arizona – July 7
- Columbus, New Mexico – July 14
- Santa Teresa, New Mexico – July 21
- Del Rio, Texas – August 18
- Laredo, Texas – September 15
USDA is working with Mexico’s National Department of Health, Food Safety and Food Quality (SENASICA) on outreach, education and training efforts to raise awareness and put producers on high alert about NWS, along with utilizing their well-functioning central laboratory for diagnosing cases. While Mexico has made great progress on animal movement controls and surveillance, additional progress will ensure the remaining U.S. ports reopen.
Enhanced animal movement controls to stem illegal animal movements from the south, along with robust surveillance and NWS risk mitigations beyond check points will be critical in pushing back NWS. APHIS technical teams continue to engage with SENASICA to improve the overall NWS posture in Mexico and implement the rigorous steps needed to keep this pest away from our border.
Mexico will also begin renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa this week, with renovation expected to be completed by July 2026. Renovation of this facility will allow for production of between 60-100 million sterile NWS flies each week. This is a critical step toward reaching the goal of producing the estimated 400-500 million flies each week needed to re-establish the NWS barrier at the Darien Gap.
Only cattle and bison born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua, or that are treated according to cattle and bison NWS protocol when entering these states will be eligible for import. In addition, reopening the Del Rio (August 18) and Colombia Bridge (September 15) 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.
Equines may import from anywhere in Mexico. They require a 7-day quarantine at the port of entry and must import in accordance with the equine NWS protocol and other requirements. Approved equine facilities are available at the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, port and will be available for entry of horses when that port is reopened.
