USDA to begin resuming cattle imports from Mexico in August

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on July 24 it would be resuming cattle imports from Mexico in August after stopping trade over concerns of New World screwworm (NWS).

The agency said it would open its port of entry in Douglas, Ariz., on Aug. 24 while also looking to restart operations at the Santa Teresa and Columbus border locations in New Mexico in the near future.

“The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry,” said Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.”

Livestock from Mexico are expected to move through the states of Sonora and Chihuahua.

“Every animal entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to ensure it is free of any signs of NWS,” the agency said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on social media she received a letter from Rollins regarding the resumption of cattle trade.

USDA first suspended the import of Mexican cattle in May 2025. NWS was detected last month in the United States. According to recent numbers from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), 42 NWS cases have been identified in Texas and New Mexico.

No ports on the Texas border were scheduled to be opened according to the initial information provided by Rollins and the USDA.