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USDA Will Reopen Douglas, Arizona Cattle Crossing Despite Sonora Screwworm Case

The move aims to ease cattle shortages while using strict inspections, tracking and sterile‑fly control to limit parasite spread under close binational monitoring.

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A rancher unloads calves at the pens of the regional cattle ranchers association ahead of the announced reopening of the U.S. border to Mexican cattle imports, in Hermosillo, Mexico, Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Cattle ranchers attend a presentation on the threat of the New World Screwworm during the Fayette County Cow/Calf Clinic and Trade Show in La Grange, Texas, on May 1.
Mestas with the family border collie, Miss Kitty, on his ranch in southern Colorado.

Overview

  • The USDA plans to reopen the Douglas, Arizona cattle port on Aug. 24 with a phased daily cap that starts at 700 head, rises to 900 in the second week and can increase to 1,300 if the program shows no problems.
  • Mexican authorities reported the first Sonora screwworm case in the community of Munihuasa and released 360,000 sterile flies to help contain the outbreak, while Mexico currently tracks 1,969 active cases and U.S. officials have found more than 40 cases in Texas.
  • Imported cattle will face layered biosecurity steps including pre‑treatment, radio‑frequency identification ear tags, electronic readers, trained detector dogs and USDA inspections before crossing to reduce the risk of moving the parasite.
  • The reopening responds to economic strain from a yearlong ban that cut Mexican ranchers’ incomes and tightened U.S. cattle supplies, which contributed to higher beef prices and processing disruptions.
  • Officials say the restart is conditional and will be closely monitored with the option to expand to additional ports or pause shipments if new detections or risks emerge.