Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs announced the U.S.-Mexico border will reopen to cattle starting in August to protect the state's livestock industry.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs stated that the U.S.-Mexico border will reopen to cattle starting August 24, beginning at the Agua Prieta-Douglas crossing. The reopening follows a yearlong closure intended to protect the state's cattle from the New World screwworm parasite, which has already affected over 40 animals in Texas. To mitigate risks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mexican officials have agreed to use electronic identification instead of ear tags to prevent the parasite from burrowing into tissue wounds. The Arizona Department of Agriculture also plans to increase screening protocols for imports. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that the reopening is a result of close coordination between the two governments. The move aims to protect the U.S. cattle herd from potential price increases and infestation. Both nations have also collaborated to retrofit a facility in southern Mexico that produces sterile flies to combat the parasite's spread.