USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Cattle Ports Amid Screwworm Outbreak

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will reopen the Douglas, Arizona, livestock port on August 24, 2026, starting a “phased reopening” of the southern cattle ports closed in May 2024 after a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak. Openings at the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports in New Mexico will follow contingent on Mexico’s compliance with the USDA-Mexico Joint Action Plan and ongoing risk assessments. Every animal entering through the reopened ports will undergo a full USDA inspection for signs of screwworm infection.

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer The HillThe Straits TimesWashington ExaminerNewsmax (website)

The NWS parasite, a larval stage of the *Cochliomyia hominivorax* fly, was first reported in the United States on June 3, 2024. The outbreak spread to Texas and southeastern New Mexico, prompting the USDA to close multiple southern ports. The ban remained for more than a year, during which U.S. beef prices rose sharply and cattle inventories fell to their lowest level in roughly five decades. USDA officials described the closure as “tough but necessary” to protect the livestock industry.

The Straits Times

• Confirmed U.S. cases: 42

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

• Active cases: 9 (latest USDA report)

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

• Geographic distribution: All but one case in Texas; one in New Mexico

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

• Mexican outbreak: 1,792 active cases in 29 of 32 states (official figures)

US says it will begin lifting suspension of Mexican cattle imports starting in August

• Economic impact: Ground-beef prices averaged $6.83 per pound in June 2025 (BLS)

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

• Import volume: Mexico ships about one million head of cattle annually, roughly 5 % of U.S. cattle processing

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

The USDA highlighted that Douglas borders Sonora, a Mexican state with a strong animal-health infrastructure, and that the nearest active U.S. case is about 325 miles away (detected July 22, 2026). Industry groups, including the Meat Institute and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, cited scientific evidence supporting a managed reopening, noting that enhanced inspection protocols and sterile-fly releases reduce spread risk.

USDA to Allow Resumption of Mexican Feeder Cattle Imports in August- Beef & Cattle Groups Cheer

Reinstating Mexican feeder-cattle imports should ease the tight U.S. cattle supply that has driven record beef prices, helping consumers and meatpackers. The phased approach aims to balance market relief with biosecurity, relying on full inspections, sterile-fly releases, and continuous monitoring of NWS activity in both countries.

Why Is the U.S. Reopening Mexican Cattle Imports Now?

• “There is no doubt that closing the ports last May caused higher prices in beef,” — Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins

Washington Examiner

• “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.” — Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner

Reuters

• “Importing cattle from Mexico allows beef packers to better meet consumer demand given the tight supply of US cattle,” — Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO

Reuters