The United States Department of Agriculture announced Monday that the Douglas, Arizona, port will once again receive cattle shipments from Mexico, marking the first step in a phased reopening that began after a year‑long ban aimed at keeping out the screwworm parasite.
Federal safeguards and Mexican cooperation
The USDA said the move is “guided by overlapping safeguards and a science‑based import protocol” agreed to by both nations. The agency will monitor the situation closely and may pause the reopening if post‑opening audits reveal increased risk in the Mexican states of Sonora or Chihuahua.
Mexico’s agriculture ministry, led by Minister Columba Lopez, confirmed that it will intensify the release of sterile screwworm flies in those border states. The sterile‑fly technique, which involves flooding the environment with millions of sterilized insects that mate without producing offspring, has been credited with dramatically reducing screwworm populations in the past.
Regional impact and rancher concerns
Ranchers in Texas and New Mexico have expressed unease. The pest has already been detected in both states, and officials warn that any lapse in Mexico’s containment could allow the parasite to spread further into U.S. herds. Chihuahua, a major cattle‑exporting state, reported 183 confirmed cases since July, while neighboring Sonora logged two cases after its first detection last week.
State agriculture departments in Texas and New Mexico have pledged heightened inspections and movement controls for livestock entering from Mexico. They stress that continued cooperation on the sterile‑fly program is essential to protect the region’s multi‑billion‑dollar cattle industry.
Future phases and infrastructure
After the initial reopening at the Douglas port, the USDA plans to evaluate additional entry points in Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, which would handle cattle, bison and horses. The agency’s website notes that these phases will proceed only if Mexico remains in compliance with the agreed‑upon screwworm‑control measures.
Mexico recently opened a sterile‑fly production facility in Chiapas, and the United States is constructing its own plant in Texas, slated for completion in spring 2027. President Claudia Sheinbaum called the sterile‑fly approach “modern” and “effective,” emphasizing that it enables the border to reopen safely.
What this means for consumers
For consumers in the Southwest, the reopening could mean a steadier supply of beef and related products, potentially easing price pressures that have lingered since the ban. However, the USDA and state agencies stress that vigilance will remain paramount to ensure that the screwworm does not re‑establish itself in U.S. livestock.
Stakeholders across the border will continue to share data and conduct joint inspections, aiming to balance trade benefits with the agricultural safeguards that protect family farms and the broader food supply.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
