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5h ago

USDA to Reopen Southern Ports for Limited Mexican Cattle Imports

Reopening depends on Mexico meeting Joint Action Plan milestones with every animal inspected by USDA under a program that allows openings to be paused if new risks emerge.

A calf is held in a head gate during veterinary checks at a ranch that supplies livestock for export to the U.S., in Zamora, northern Mexico, Monday, July 28, 2025, as the U.S. border remains closed to Mexican cattle imports because of screwworm concerns. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Cattle and calves graze at a pasture near La Pryor, Texas, on June 6, 2026.
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Overview

  • The USDA said Friday it will reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port to Mexican cattle on Aug. 24 and will start operational steps to prepare Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, for later openings.
  • The phased plan is conditional on Mexico meeting agreed Joint Action Plan milestones and requires full USDA inspection of every animal entering the United States.
  • U.S. detections of New World screwworm have been limited but notable, with 42 confirmed cases reported mostly in Texas, while Mexico has recorded widespread outbreaks since November 2024 with thousands of active cases.
  • State officials and industry groups praised the limited reopening as needed to relieve supply pressure, but some leaders, including Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, said the federal response has been too slow and urged aggressive eradication efforts.
  • Resuming trade could ease U.S. cattle and beef supply strains that have driven higher prices and reduce losses for Mexican producers, but USDA will use post-opening audits and can pause openings if audits or new data show increased risk.