- The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin reopening cattle ports along the Mexican border starting August 24, 2026, ending a year-long suspension.
- Federal authorities confirmed that every animal entering the US will undergo rigorous inspections to prevent the entry and spread of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite.
- Operations will commence at the Douglas, Arizona port of entry before expanding to New Mexico border crossings in Santa Teresa and Columbus.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to initiate a coordinated, phased reopening of livestock ports along the southern border with Mexico starting next month.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the decision marks the end of an import ban on live cattle, horses, and bison enacted in May 2025 following a dangerous outbreak of the New World screwworm (NWS), a parasitic fly whose flesh-eating larvae pose fatal risks to livestock.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- FG Partners With Chinese Investors To Secure Land For 10,000-Home Mass Housing Project
- Intelligence Materials Were Shared With US, Not Seized – DHQ
- Man Arraigned in Adamawa Over Alleged Abuse Involving Daughter
Beginning August 24, 2026, federal officials will open the Douglas, Arizona port of entry to cattle trade.
Operational steps will subsequently follow to reopen New Mexico entry ports in Santa Teresa and Columbus, contingent on Mexico adhering to established sanitary protocols.
Although the United States officially eradicated the New World screwworm in 1966 and contained a brief resurgence in Florida in 2017, the parasite reappeared on domestic soil in early June 2026. Official data confirms that 42 cases of NWS have been recorded since the recent resurgence.
USDA officials noted that the Mexican border states of Sonora and Chihuahua present the lowest risk due to well-maintained animal health infrastructure, with the closest active case detected roughly 325 miles from the Arizona entry point.
The gradual resumption of cattle imports is expected to help ease livestock supply shortages and stabilize rising beef prices for consumers across North America.
