Southern Livestock Ports Reopen With Screwworm Safeguards in Place

Following closures in May due to New World Screwworm (NWS) concerns, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has begun a phased reopening of livestock ports along the southern border. As of July 7, the Douglas, Arizona port is once again accepting cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico under strict protocols.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said the decision follows strong collaboration between USDA and Mexico’s animal health officials. In recent weeks, APHIS teams from the U.S. visited multiple sites in Mexico, assessed response efforts, and confirmed consistent sterile fly dispersal—now totaling over 100 million flies per week.

Additional ports are set to reopen in phases: Columbus, NM on July 14; Santa Teresa, NM on July 21; Del Rio, TX on August 18; and Laredo, TX on September 15—each contingent on continued progress and risk evaluations.

Only cattle and bison from Sonora or Chihuahua, or those treated under NWS protocols, are eligible for entry. Equines can import from anywhere in Mexico with a required 7-day quarantine.

The USDA says it remains focused on preventing the pest’s spread and protecting American ranchers.