Full Breakdown
United States to Reopen Mexican Cattle Imports Starting August 24, 2026
7/25/2026, 9:56:06 PM
Core Event: USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Cattle Ports
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will lift the suspension on live-cattle imports from Mexico on August 24, 2026. The first entry point will be the Douglas, Arizona crossing that borders Agua Prieta, Sonora. Openings at the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports in New Mexico will follow after USDA-APHI evaluates progress on the joint action plan with Mexican authorities.
Background & Context
In May 2025 the United States halted Mexican cattle imports after a New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak spread throughout most of Mexico. By the August 2026 announcement, the parasite had been recorded in 29 of Mexico’s 32 states, with 1,792 active cases reported. In the United States, more than 30 cases have been confirmed in Texas and southeastern New Mexico, and five cases in Chihuahua.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2025 | U.S. suspension of Mexican cattle imports enacted. |
| July 22, 2026 | Nearest active NWS case to Douglas detected ~325 mi away. |
| July 24, 2026 | La Jornada reports forthcoming reopening. |
| July 25, 2026 | President Claudia Sheinbaum announces exports will resume in late August via Agua Prieta. |
| August 24, 2026 | USDA opens Douglas, AZ port; phased plan for Santa Teresa and Columbus to follow. |
Data & Statistics
- Active NWS cases in Mexico: 1,792.
- Geographic spread: 29 of 32 states.
- U.S. detections: >30 cases in Texas/New Mexico; 5 in Chihuahua.
- Proximity to reopening port: Closest active case ~325 mi from Douglas.
Official Statements & Responses
- USDA will inspect all cattle entering through the reopened ports for NWS.
- Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said the reopening is “now safe” and cited the joint action plan as the basis for the phased approach.
- U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson noted the gradual reopening aligns with efforts promoted by President Donald Trump and Sheinbaum to eradicate the pest.
- The Mexican livestock sector estimates the year-long suspension caused multimillion-dollar losses for ranchers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” — Brooke Rollins.
Why It Matters
Reopening the ports restores a historic cattle trade route that supports ranchers in U.S. border states and the Southern Plains. Industry groups argue the phased, science-driven reopening will help normalize supply chains while maintaining safeguards against NWS re-introduction.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- USDA has not set a specific timetable for Santa Teresa and Columbus, leaving the second phase uncertain.
- No public data have been released on the effectiveness of the sterile-fly release program that underpins the joint action plan.
What’s Next
USDA will monitor the Douglas port for 30 days and may pause further openings if audits indicate increased risk in Sonora or Chihuahua. After the initial assessment, USDA will consider advancing the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports based on Mexico’s progress on the joint action plan milestones.
