WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin reopening select southern border ports for cattle, bison, and equine imports from Mexico as early as today, July 7, following extensive joint efforts to control the spread of New World Screwworm (NWS).
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the decision after significant progress was made in surveillance, sterile fly dispersal, and containment measures in Mexico. Since ports were closed on May 11, Mexico has conducted continuous sterile fly releases — over 100 million flies each week — and strengthened pest monitoring without evidence of northward NWS movement.
The reopening will start with the Douglas, Arizona port today, followed by ports in New Mexico and Texas throughout the summer, contingent on ongoing evaluations and strict compliance with NWS protocols.
Secretary Rollins emphasized, “We have made good progress with our counterparts in Mexico to increase vital pest surveillance efforts and have boosted sterile fly dispersal efforts. These quick actions by the Trump Administration have improved the conditions to allow the phased reopening of select ports on the Southern Border to livestock trade.”
Imports will be restricted to cattle and bison born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua or those treated per established NWS protocols. Equines from across Mexico will be permitted under quarantine and strict treatment requirements.
Mexico’s renovation of its sterile fruit fly facility in Metapa — set for completion by July 2026 — will further bolster control efforts by producing up to 100 million sterile flies weekly, a critical step toward reestablishing the NWS barrier at the Darien Gap.
USDA officials stressed that reopening additional ports will depend on continuous risk assessment, enhanced animal movement controls, and adherence to rigorous inspection standards to protect U.S. livestock producers.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.