USDA to Phase In Mexican Cattle Imports

Cattle in a holding pen at a border inspection facility as USDA phases in Mexican cattle imports

Key Points

01USDA will reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port to Mexican cattle on Aug. 24, 2026
02Potential reopenings of Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, will follow after evaluation
03Reopenings depend on Mexico meeting milestones in a New World screwworm plan
04All cattle entering at reopened ports will receive full USDA inspection

USDA outlines phased reopening of cattle imports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has set Aug. 24, 2026, as the date to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry to imports of live cattle from Mexico. This step marks the beginning of a phased lifting of a suspension on Mexican cattle imports through certain southern U.S. ports.

Under the plan, Douglas will be the first port to resume cattle traffic. USDA emphasized that the approach is phased and conditional, designed to restart cross-border cattle movements while managing animal health risks linked to New World screwworm.

Conditions tied to New World screwworm controls

USDA stated that the phased reopening is contingent on Mexico making satisfactory progress on milestones in a Joint Action Plan aimed at controlling New World screwworm. The agency indicated that it will monitor implementation of this plan as cattle imports resume through Douglas.

USDA also said that it can pause further port openings, or adjust operations, if post-opening audits or other information suggest an increased risk from New World screwworm. This flexibility is intended to allow rapid response if new detections or changing conditions emerge.

Inspection measures at reopened ports

Every animal entering the United States through the reopened Douglas port will undergo a full USDA inspection. These inspections are intended to confirm that cattle show no signs of New World screwworm before being allowed entry.

The same inspection standards are planned for any additional ports that may reopen under the phased approach. USDA described comprehensive inspections as a core safeguard in the resumption of trade.

Future steps for New Mexico ports

On the same date Douglas reopens, USDA plans to begin operational steps needed to consider reopening the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports in New Mexico to live cattle. These steps include preparations and evaluations required before any decision to resume imports at those locations.

USDA has not provided specific opening dates for Santa Teresa or Columbus. Any decision to proceed will follow assessment of the initial reopening at Douglas and ongoing review of risk conditions and progress under the Joint Action Plan with Mexico.

Current New World screwworm situation in the US

U.S. authorities have reported 42 confirmed animal cases of New World screwworm in the United States, mostly in Texas, with at least one case detected in New Mexico. These detections form the backdrop for the cautious, staged approach to reopening cattle ports.

USDA has noted that the closest active detection to the Douglas port, identified on July 22, 2026, was about 325 miles away. This distance, along with enhanced inspection and contingency measures, is being factored into the decision to reopen Douglas while maintaining the ability to adjust if risk levels change.

Key Takeaways

01USDA is coupling the resumption of Mexican cattle imports with strict health safeguards focused on New World screwworm.
02The Douglas, Arizona, reopening will act as a test case before any broader expansion to other southern ports.
03Future openings at New Mexico ports will depend on both on-the-ground risk assessments and Mexico’s progress under the joint screwworm control plan.

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