The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on June30 a phased reopening of cattle, bison, and equine imports from Mexico. The first stage begins July7 at the Douglas, Arizona port of entry-identified as the lowest-risk location based on current screwworm surveillance and coordination with Sonoran officials.

The reopening follows a strict halt implemented on May11 after the detection of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly capable of infesting and feeding on the tissue of live animals. Though eradicated in the U.S. decades ago, the pest's resurgence in northern Mexico raised biosecurity alarms, prompting USDA to shut down all relevant livestock entry points.

The USDA detailed a gradual schedule for resuming imports:

July 7: Douglas, Arizona

July 14: Columbus, New Mexico

July 21: Santa Teresa, New Mexico

August 18: Del Rio, Texas

September 15: Laredo, Texas

Each port's reopening will follow a review period to assess whether containment and eradication efforts are effective before advancing to the next phase.

At the heart of the USDA's containment strategy is a multi-tiered pest eradication plan. It includes the deployment of sterile screwworm flies, intensive trapping protocols, and real-time monitoring across border states. On June18, the USDA launched a sterile fly release facility in South Texas. In parallel, a $21 million investment supports Mexico's production of sterile flies to suppress screwworm populations at their source.

This biosecurity initiative underscores USDA's commitment to preventing a resurgence of the parasite on U.S. soil. Beyond the sterile fly program, the agency is coordinating with Mexican counterparts on daily surveillance, data sharing, and cross-border response teams. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated that U.S. vigilance will remain elevated as long as there is any risk of the parasite reaching domestic herds. The stakes are high: a return of the screwworm could devastate cattle, wildlife, and equine sectors.

For U.S. producers, the phased reopening is both a relief and a test. Many rely on feeder cattle from Mexico to sustain feedlot operations, especially in Texas and the Southwest. Since the border closure, cattle availability has tightened and contributed to soaring beef prices. The controlled resumption of imports could gradually ease these pressures-but only if pest control efforts continue to succeed.

Market analysts also note that the beef supply chain may take several months to normalize, as biosecurity concerns continue to shape USDA's approach. Until all entry points are fully operational, caution will govern cattle movement and pricing dynamics across the southern border.