USDA resumes livestock imports after new screwworm measures
- Imports of livestock from Mexico will resume in phases starting on June 30, 2025, after an earlier ban in May due to pest concerns.
- The USDA and Mexican authorities are enhancing surveillance and control measures against the New World screwworm.
- This initiative reflects significant progress in combating the screwworm threat, leading to the favorable conditions for resuming livestock trade.
On June 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a phased reopening of ports of entry for livestock imports from Mexico. This development follows a ban that was enacted on May 11, 2025, due to concerns about the potential spread of the New World screwworm, a pest that poses serious risks to livestock and agriculture. The reopening plan involves allowing certain cattle, horses, and bison to enter the U.S. through specified ports in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, as oversight measures confirmed no significant increase in screwworm cases in Mexico within the preceding weeks. The USDA has engaged in extensive surveillance and eradication efforts, collaborating with Mexican authorities to monitor the situation closely. The challenge stems from recent detections of the screwworm in Mexico's southern states like Oaxaca and Veracruz, which are approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border. Efforts have been bolstered by a sterile fly production initiative, aiming to enhance fumigation practices to combat this invasive species. USDA officials, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, highlighted the importance of addressing the screwworm threat and emphasized ongoing monitoring and eradication strategies. Key measures include the construction of a new fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, which has the potential to increase domestic sterile fly production significantly. This facility will support ongoing measures to prevent the pest from advancing northward into the United States. The overall approach reflects a commitment to protect the U.S. livestock industry from potential economic impacts associated with New World screwworm outbreaks, which could disrupt food supply chains and agricultural markets. As a result of these proactive measures, the phased reopening of livestock imports is seen as a positive development for both U.S. ranchers and the agricultural economy while ensuring rigorous safety protocols to prevent any reintroduction of the pest into the U.S. Furthermore, cooperation with Mexico remains a critical component of these strategies to maintain border security against agricultural pests.