US-Mexico Cattle Imports to Resume at Douglas Port of Entry Amid Screwworm Concerns
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that limited cattle imports from Mexico will resume on August 24th through the Douglas, Arizona port of entry. This decision comes after a year-long closure aimed at controlling the spread of the New…
Houston, TX, July 24, 2026 —
Limited cattle imports from Mexico are set to resume on August 24th through the Douglas, Arizona port of entry, according to an announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The resumption of trade follows a year-long closure implemented to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly larva that infests warm-blooded animals. The USDA’s decision to close the port of entry was a precautionary measure taken in response to confirmed cases of the pest. In total, 42 cases of the New World screwworm have been identified in the United States, with the majority of these occurring in Texas.
The closure aimed to contain the pest and protect the U.S. livestock population. The re-opening of the Douglas port of entry signifies that the USDA believes the risk of screwworm introduction has been sufficiently mitigated, allowing for a controlled resumption of trade.
Further details regarding the specific limitations and protocols for the resumed cattle imports were not immediately available. The USDA has stated that the decision was made after careful consideration of the ongoing efforts to manage and eradicate the New World screwworm.
Story summarized from the original created by Texas Tribune, By Jayme Lozano Carver on www.click2houston.com, see more information here.
