LUBBOCK — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the resumption of limited cattle imports from Mexico, a significant move amid ongoing concerns over a flesh-eating parasite outbreak. This decision marks a pivotal moment for ranchers and the livestock industry, which has faced considerable disruptions over the past year.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that the phased reopening of the port in Douglas, Arizona, will begin on August 24. This reopening is contingent upon Mexico’s compliance with a joint action plan aimed at addressing the New World screwworm, a parasitic threat that has raised alarm among agricultural stakeholders.
“The closure was a necessary measure to protect our livestock industry,” Rollins explained. As of the latest reports, there have been 42 confirmed cases of the screwworm in the U.S., with Texas being the hardest hit, accounting for all but one of these cases.
The USDA’s decision to reopen the Douglas port is based on thorough assessments of animal health capabilities in the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua, which are considered low-risk areas for the screwworm. The USDA intends to collaborate closely with these states to ensure a safe and efficient resumption of cattle trade.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed his gratitude to Rollins for responding to calls for reopening the border but also voiced concerns regarding the screwworm’s threat. He remarked that the decision to resume imports should have occurred earlier, citing the negative impact the prolonged closure has had on ranchers and supply chains.
“Resuming cattle importation from Mexico is the right move for ranchers and American consumers,” Miller stated. “The prolonged closure has already taken a toll on producers, disrupted supply chains, and created uncertainty that could have lasting consequences for the cattle industry.”
In his statement, Miller also criticized the USDA’s handling of the screwworm crisis, suggesting that the response has been inadequate. “The USDA has spent more than a year reacting instead of getting ahead of the problem,” he said. “We cannot afford to rely on half-measures when billions of dollars in livestock production are on the line.”
The closure of southern ports to livestock imports from Mexico began in May 2025 and has significantly restricted legal cattle imports. As the industry looks forward to the reopening, stakeholders remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with the New World screwworm and the broader implications for U.S. agriculture.
Colleen DeGuzman contributed to this story.
