The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico, set to begin in the coming days.
To safeguard U.S. livestock, APHIS suspended these imports in November 2024 following the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. After extensive discussions, the United States and Mexico developed and implemented a rigorous pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure the safe movement of animals and mitigate the risk of NWS transmission.
Protecting American livestock from foreign pests remains a top APHIS priority. As part of the newly established protocol, Mexico has designated and prepared pre-export inspection facilities in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. These sites have been inspected and approved by APHIS. Before entering the pre-export facilities, cattle and bison will be examined and treated for screwworm by trained veterinarians. Mexican officials will conduct an additional inspection before the animals undergo a final APHIS review at the Santa Teresa and Douglas Ports of Entry. Approved cattle and bison will also be treated with an insecticidal dip to ensure they are free of ticks and other pests. Efforts are underway to approve additional inspection facilities and expand trade through other ports of entry.
To further prevent the spread of NWS, APHIS continues to collaborate with partners in Mexico and Central America to eliminate the parasite from affected regions and restore the biological barrier in Panama, a key control measure in place since 2006.
Over the past two years, screwworm has spread beyond the barrier into Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and now Mexico. Contributing factors include increased agricultural activity in former barrier zones and greater cattle movement throughout the region. In response, APHIS is deploying sterile flies through aerial and ground release programs, targeting Southern Mexico and key locations across Central America.
A complete list of regions affected by screwworm and detailed trade restriction information is available on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.