{
  "id": 3170209,
  "title": "US resumes Mexican cattle imports amid screwworm threat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-amid-screwworm-threat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T01:40:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/08/25/as-us-border-reopens-to-mexican-cattle-concerns-persist-over-screwworm-spread"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mexico's National Confederation of Livestock Organizations announced on Monday that the US will gradually resume importing Mexican cattle, starting with 700 head per day and increasing to around 1,300 head as border scrutiny tightens. This marks the first easing of the US ban imposed over a year ago to prevent the spread of screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that has been detected in Texas and New Mexico. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins assured that careful measures have been taken to protect American cattle herds and consumers. The USDA plans to reopen two more ports in New Mexico within 60 days, but will avoid opening any in Texas for the time being. Currently, there are 46 confirmed screwworm cases in New Mexico and Texas, with two active cases. The US and Mexico have agreed on a science-based import protocol to monitor the situation closely. If increased risks are identified, the reopening may be paused. Mexico could potentially export up to 200,000 head of cattle in 2026, valued at approximately US$420 million, and up to 1.09 million head in 2027, worth about US$2.1 billion. Chihuahua and Sonora states in Mexico have reported a combined 185 screwworm cases since July, with emergency surveillance and containment protocols activated in Sonora. The sterile insect technique, involving releasing sterilized screwworm flies to suppress the pest population, is being implemented in both countries. Mexico has recently opened a sterile-fly production plant in Chiapas, while the US is constructing its own facility in Texas, slated for completion in spring 2027. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum endorsed the technique as an effective method to combat screwworm, enabling the border reopening.",
  "summary": "Mexico bolsters efforts to contain the flesh-eating pest as livestock trade reopens through Arizona.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US resumes Mexican cattle imports amid screwworm threat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-amid-screwworm-threat-3171372",
        "published": "2026-08-25T01:40:43.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}