The United States will begin lifting a suspension on Mexican cattle imports on Aug. 24 to address the New World screwworm spread.

The United States will begin reopening the border to Mexican cattle imports on Aug. 24, ending a suspension that lasted over a year due to the New World screwworm. The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that the reopening will start at the Douglas, Arizona border crossing. The measure was implemented after the parasite, which affects warm-blooded animals, spread across 29 of Mexico's 32 states. While the screwworm was recently detected in Texas and southeastern New Mexico, U.S. authorities determined it is now safe to resume imports from Arizona. To ensure the parasite does not spread further, all imported cattle will undergo inspections and must comply with a joint action plan. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that Mexico will accelerate efforts to prepare for cattle movement through Sonora and Chihuahua. Sheinbaum described the agreement as a result of cooperation and mutual respect between the two nations. The Mexican livestock sector reported that the suspension caused multimillion dollar losses during the period the border remained closed.

Sources