The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico, following a temporary halt in November 2024 due to concerns over the New World screwworm (NWS).
APHIS halted shipments from Mexico after the detection of NWS in southern Mexico. However, after extensive discussions between U.S. and Mexican officials, both nations have agreed to a new set of safeguards aimed at preventing the spread of the pest.
Under a new protocol, Mexico will implement a series of pre-clearance inspections and treatments to ensure the safety of livestock crossing into the U.S.
The protocol includes inspections by trained veterinarians in Mexico’s designated pre-export inspection pens, located in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora.
Cattle and bison will be treated for screwworm before being inspected by Mexican officials, followed by a final inspection by APHIS officials at the Santa Teresa and Douglas Ports of Entry.
Livestock will also undergo a dipping procedure to ensure they are free from insects and ticks before being allowed entry.
APHIS emphasized that the safety of U.S. livestock remains its top priority, and the agency is working closely with Mexican authorities to prevent further outbreaks. The collaboration also includes ongoing efforts to eliminate screwworm in affected areas of Central America, as well as the reestablishment of the biological barrier in Panama, a region that has been a key defense against the pest since 2006.
The screwworm has been spreading throughout Central America and into Mexico, posing a significant risk to livestock across the region. Factors such as increased cattle movements and farming activities in previous pest-control areas have contributed to its expansion.
In response, APHIS has been releasing sterile flies in strategic locations, including southern Mexico, to help control the outbreak.
U.S. and Mexican officials are also working together to open additional pre-export inspection pens and potentially expand imports through other ports of entry in the near future.