The USDA will reopen the Douglas Arizona port to live cattle imports from Mexico on August 24, part of a phased plan to restart cross-border trade that was curtailed amid New World screwworm concerns. The department said every animal entering through the port will receive a full inspection to confirm it is free of signs of the pest.
Industry leaders offered cautious support for the move. Stephen Diebel, president of the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association and a cow-calf operator, noted the Douglas crossing is roughly 350 miles from the most recent case. He said the phased approach provides an opportunity to continue safeguarding resources.
Rancher Shad Sullivan, who runs cattle in Colorado and Texas, said the screwworm issue makes a phased border reopening unsettling, even if expected. He said there are still many unknowns and predicted some market volatility. The key questions, he said, include what classes and weights of cattle will cross and what value they will add in the U.S.
Diebel said that after nearly two years of battling New World screwworm, producers are confident they have the tools to manage and contain the pest. He emphasized the importance of current sterile fly dispersal operations and said the situation should be manageable heading into fall and winter, with additional flights planned later this year.
Next steps for the Douglas Arizona port and USDA plan
According to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, operational steps will be implemented simultaneously following the Douglas reopening to prepare for subsequent resumptions at the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Columbus, New Mexico ports of entry.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall said the decision will help normalize business across the border states and the Southern Plains. He credited USDA efforts and the work of producers with buying time to bolster domestic readiness, adding that a whole-of-government response has positioned the industry to safely and gradually resume shipments.
USDA officials said the southern port reopenings remain contingent on Mexico adhering to the Joint Action Plan. The department reiterated that comprehensive inspections at the ports will continue as part of its safeguards against New World screwworm.
The department reiterated that comprehensive inspections at the ports will continue as part of its safeguards against New World screwworm, similar to steps taken when Mexico pork import restrictions were lifted after a previous outbreak. It emphasized coordination with Mexican authorities and ongoing monitoring to manage future risks.