The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) began allowing roughly 700 cattle each day to enter the United States from Mexico on Monday, using a border crossing in Arizona that was closed earlier this year because of a New World screwworm outbreak. The agency says the new shipments are an animal‑health matter, not a food‑safety concern, and that additional screening steps will keep the parasite from reaching U.S. herds.
Extra safeguards for imported cattle
According to David Anderson, a professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University, each animal will first be examined by a veterinarian. If cleared, the cattle are placed in a “dipping vat” filled with insecticide, where they are fully immersed before moving to a separate set of holding pens for further observation. “We are looking for any problem that we wouldn’t want coming in,” Anderson said, noting that the process adds an extra layer of protection against screwworm.
Screwworm control measures
Since the outbreak began in June, USDA officials have recorded 44 inactive screwworm cases and two active cases in Texas. To combat the parasite, the agency releases sterile male screwworm flies over affected areas, a technique Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins described as effective in quickly containing new cases. “Based on science and data we have taken every step to protect the American herd and the American consumer,” Rollins said at a Monday news conference.
Impact on beef supply and prices
Experts stress that screwworm does not affect processed meat, so there is no direct food‑safety risk to consumers. However, the additional cattle may eventually bolster the U.S. beef supply. Historically, the United States imports about 1.2 million cattle annually from Mexico, most of them young calves that require months of growth before contributing to the beef market. Anderson projects that by mid‑2027 the increased imports could help raise domestic beef production and potentially lower retail prices.
Future expansion and related initiatives
If the initial shipments proceed without incident, the USDA plans to consider expanding imports through other border crossings in New Mexico. The move aligns with a broader effort to address rising beef prices. Former President Donald Trump recently announced a 90‑day plan to import roughly 300,000 metric tons of ground beef at prices 25 % below market rates, a strategy intended to increase supply while giving U.S. producers time to rebuild herds.
Some agriculture economists and ranchers have voiced concerns that the Trump‑backed ground‑beef import program could undermine financial incentives for domestic producers to expand. Nonetheless, the USDA maintains that the current cattle imports are carefully monitored and pose no threat to American consumers.
Local nutrition support
In a related effort to improve food access for families, Secretary Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. proposed additional funding for farm‑to‑school grants. The grants aim to increase the availability of locally sourced whole foods—including fruits, vegetables, and protein sources such as beef—in school cafeterias across the nation.
Overall, the USDA’s decision reflects a balance between protecting animal health, supporting domestic agriculture, and addressing the price pressures felt by families at the grocery store.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
