The U.S. Department of Agriculture has lifted a year-long ban on cattle imports from Mexico, with Douglas, Arizona, set to reopen for cattle crossings on Aug. 24. The ban was imposed in November 2024 after detections of the flesh-eating New World screwworm in southern Mexico. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the closures were necessary to protect U.S. livestock but acknowledged they raised beef prices and strained Texas industries. Officials say they remain focused on affordability and producer safety even as cases have appeared in the U.S.
USDA Lifts Year-Long Ban on Mexican Cattle Imports; Douglas, Arizona, Set to Reopen Aug. 24
All cattle imports from Mexico were halted by the Biden administration in November 2024, when the first cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm were detected in the south of the country. File Photo by Matias Martin Campaya/EPA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that it has lifted a year-long ban on cattle imports from Mexico that was put in place to contain the spread of the New World screwworm, a parasitic insect harmful to livestock.
Douglas, Arizona, will be the first port of entry to reopen for cattle crossings on Aug. 24, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said.
Background and Rationale
All cattle imports from Mexico were halted in November 2024 after the first cases of the flesh-eating New World screwworm were detected in southern Mexico. The temporary closure of southern ports was intended to slow the parasite’s spread and protect U.S. herds.
Economic Impact and Official Comments
“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,” Secretary Rollins said.
Rollins acknowledged that the border restrictions carried economic consequences. She said the closures created “a significant economic challenge to various sectors of our industries in Texas” and contributed to higher beef prices. Officials emphasized that they remain focused on affordability while prioritizing the safety of livestock producers.
Current Situation
Despite the restrictions at southern crossings, multiple cases of New World screwworm have been detected in the United States. USDA officials say the decision to reopen ports follows ongoing monitoring and risk assessments aimed at balancing trade and animal-health protections.
What To Watch: The reopening of Douglas on Aug. 24 will be closely observed by ranchers, industry groups and public-health officials to ensure safeguards are effective and that commerce can resume without increasing disease risk.
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