USDA set to restart Mexican cattle imports amid pest concerns and industry resistance

The USDA plans to lift its longstanding suspension on Mexican cattle imports from August 24, beginning with the Douglas crossing and gradually expanding, despite criticism over safety measures amidst ongoing pest threats and regional outbreaks.

USDA will begin lifting its long-running suspension on Mexican cattle imports on 24 August, reopening the Douglas, Arizona, crossing first and preparing the way for later access at Santa Teresa and Columbus in New Mexico, according to the agency. Every animal entering through the ports will face full inspection for signs of New World screwworm, a parasite that has kept livestock authorities on alert across the border.

The department says the phased restart depends on Mexico’s compliance with a joint action plan and progress on its risk-mitigation milestones. USDA has also linked the timing to conditions in Sonora and Chihuahua, which it says have stronger animal-movement controls and inspection systems than other parts of Mexico.

The move has drawn criticism from the United States Cattlemen’s Association, which said reopening the border too soon could jeopardise herd recovery in the United States. The group argues that any resumption should be backed by stronger transparency on case numbers, tighter import standards and more capacity for sterile-fly production and rapid response.

According to AP, Mexico has reported thousands of active screwworm cases across much of the country, while U.S. authorities have also tracked detections in Texas and south-eastern New Mexico. That wider spread has sharpened concern among producers even as USDA says the reopening reflects improved readiness and a coordinated federal response.

Image Source: USDA