The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Feb. 1 announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico within days.

To protect U.S. livestock and other animals, APHIS halted shipments of Mexican cattle and bison in November 2024 after a positive detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. After extensive discussions between representatives from the countries, APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and mitigate the threat of NWS.

APHIS’ top priority is to protect American livestock from foreign pests. As part of the protocol signed between the countries, Mexico identified and prepared pre-export inspection pens in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua and Agua Prieta, Sonora, which APHIS has now visited, inspected and approved. Cattle and bison will be inspected and treated for screwworm by trained and authorized veterinarians prior to entering the pre-export inspection pens, where they will again undergo inspection by Mexican officials before proceeding to final APHIS inspection then crossing at the Santa Teresa and Douglas Ports of Entry, respectively. Cattle and bison approved for importation will also be dipped in a solution to ensure they are otherwise insect- and tick-free. The United States and Mexico are working closely to approve additional pre-export inspection pens and reopen trade through other ports of entry.

In the last two years, screwworm has spread north of the barrier throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and now Mexico.

To support our efforts to keep NWS out of the United States, APHIS will continue working with partners in Mexico and Central America to eradicate NWS from the affected areas and to reestablish the biological barrier in Panama, which we have worked to maintain since 2006.

“We appreciate USDA working with their counterparts in Mexico to institute an inspection program that will protect our nation’s cattle herd from the threat of New World screwworm,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall following the announcement. “Safely reopening trade is important to the livelihood of many cattle farmers and ranchers, and we are thankful to President Trump for making this issue a top priority of his administration. This action once again demonstrates President Trump’s commitment to rural America.”

In the last two years, screwworm has spread north of the barrier throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and now Mexico. This increase is due to multiple factors, including new areas of farming in previous barrier regions for fly control and increased cattle movements into the region. APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on Southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America.

A complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by screwworm, as well as more detailed information on trade restrictions, can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.

Editor’s note: This article is adapted from news releases provided by USDA and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. [Lead photo by Grandriver from Getty Images.]

Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 17, No. 2-A