US resumes Mexican cattle imports amid screwworm threat

Mexico is easing its strict ban on cattle imports from the United States, aiming to combat the spread of screwworm, a parasite threatening livestock. The reopening of ports will commence with 700 head of cattle per day, expanding to around 1,300 per day. This decision comes after recent screwworm cases were detected in northern Mexico and neighboring Texas and New Mexico.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented a phased plan to gradually reopen ports, beginning with the Douglas, Arizona, port to Mexican cattle imports. The opening may be paused if increased risks are identified in Sonora or Chihuahua. Mexico's National Confederation of Livestock Organizations (CNOG) projects that 200,000 head of cattle could be exported in 2026, valued at roughly US$420 million, with an estimated 1.09 million head in 2027, valued at US$2.1 billion.

The sterile insect technique, involving the release of sterilized screwworm flies, is employed to control the pest population, with Mexico recently opening a sterile-fly production plant in Chiapas and the U.S. building its own facility in Texas.