Phased Reopening for Southern Livestock Imports

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico beginning as early as Monday July 7th.  USDA, after extensive collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service experts and their counterparts in Mexico to increase New World screwworm surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts, is set to begin a phased reopening of the southern ports, starting with Douglas, AZ. 

Progress, Rollins noted,  has been made in several critical areas since the ports were closed on May 11, including the resolution of challenges with conducting flights in Mexico that allowed the USDA team to consistently conduct sterile NWS fly dispersal seven days a week and the dispersal of more than 100 million flies each week.

We Have Made Progress With Our Counterparts In Mexico

“At USDA we are focused on fighting the New World Screwworm’s advancement in Mexico," the Secretary said.  "We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump Administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the Southern Border to livestock trade,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are continuing our posture of increased vigilance and will not rest until we are sure this devastating pest will not harm American ranchers.” 

While the Douglas, AZ port presents the lowest risk based upon the geography of Sonora and a long history of effective collaboration between APHIS and Sonora on animal health issues, USDA intends to reopen additional ports in New Mexico, and if it is proven safe to do so, in Texas, over the coming weeks. Additional port openings will be based on APHIS’ continuous reevaluation of the number of cases and potential northward movement of NWS, Mexico’s continued efforts to curb illegal animal movements, and implementation of further rigorous inspection and treatment protocols. 

Port Reopening Timeline:* 

• Douglas, AZ – July 7 
• Columbus, NM – July 14 
• Santa Teresa, NM – July 21 
• Del Rio, TX – August 18 
• Laredo, TX – September 15 

 The USDA noted that after each reopening Department officials will evaluate to ensure no adverse effects arise.

Industry Reaction To USDA's Announcement

Soon after the Secretary's announcement, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association announced support for the plan to strategically reopen key ports of entry to shipments of live cattle, bison, and horses.

“NCBA and our state affiliates have spent months working with USDA to safeguard the U.S. cattle industry from the threat of New World screwworm. We strongly support USDA’s five-pronged plan to fight the screwworm, which includes bolstering sterile fly production by renovating a facility in Metapa, Mexico and by building a new fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “[This] announcement to reopen key ports of entry is a measured, thoughtful approach by Secretary Rollins to allow some trade while also ensuring the American cattle industry is protected from this pest.”

NCBA previously supported USDA’s decision to temporarily close the U.S. southern border to shipments of cattle, bison, and horses in May. This temporary measure was intended to give USDA time to assess conditions on the ground in Mexico and to determine the next steps for eradicating this pest.

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