US says it will begin lifting suspension of Mexican cattle imports starting in August
The United States says it will begin lifting a suspension on Mexican cattle imports on Aug. 24, more than a year after it imposed the measure due to the spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico
ByThe Associated Press
July 25, 2026, 1:09 AM
MEXICO CITY –The United States announced Friday it will begin reopening the border to Mexican cattle imports on Aug. 24, more than a year after it imposed the measure due to the spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico
In a statement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said the reopening of cattle imports from Mexico will begin at the Douglas, Arizona border crossing, which borders Agua Prieta in Mexico’s Sonora state
The statement said the necessary steps will be taken for the subsequent reopening of the Santa Teresa and Columbus border crossings in New Mexico, without specifying dates
Despite the ban, the screwworm was detected last month in Texas and southeastern New Mexico, where more than 30 cases have been reported to date
In Mexico, the screwworm outbreak was detected in November 2024 and has spread to 29 of the country’s 32 states. Currently, there are 1,792 active cases, according to official figures
The parasite, a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, attacks warm-blooded animals, including humans
U.S. authorities said imports of Mexican cattle will be subject to compliance with a joint action plan, and the animals will undergo inspection in the U.S. to prevent the entry of screwworm larvae
Iran live updates: Trump met with advisers on Iran options Friday
- Jul 24, 6:19 PM
Bon Jovi ends Madison Square Garden Concert early
- Jul 24, 8:15 AM
US service member killed, another wounded, CENTCOM says
- Jul 19, 10:21 PM
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said in a message on social media that she was notified of the measure in a letter sent by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, adding that Mexico will accelerate its efforts to be ready to resume the movement of cattle through Sonora and subsequently through the border state of Chihuahua, where five cases of screwworm were recently reported
Sheinbaum said the measure is an example of “dialogue, cooperation, and collaboration with mutual respect between Mexico and the United States.”
Rollins, in the U.S. statement, said it is now safe to reopen the crossing through Arizona
The Mexican livestock sector estimates that the suspension led to multimillion dollar losses
Related Topics
- Mexico
