The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin a phased reopening of southern border ports for cattle, bison, and equine imports from Mexico starting July 7, 2025. This move follows progress in controlling the New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak, which led to a temporary suspension of livestock imports in May.
The first port to reopen will be Douglas, Arizona, with additional ports in New Mexico and Texas scheduled over the coming weeks:
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Douglas, AZ – July 7
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Columbus, NM – July 14
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Santa Teresa, NM – July 21
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Del Rio, TX – August 18
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Laredo, TX – September 15
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in collaboration with Mexico’s SENASICA, has ramped up surveillance and control measures, including weekly dispersal of over 100 million sterile NWS flies and expanded field inspections. No increase in NWS cases or northward movement has been reported in the past eight weeks.
Only cattle and bison born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua—or treated according to USDA protocols when entering those states—will be eligible for import. The planned reopening of Del Rio and Laredo ports depends on Coahuila and Nuevo Leon adopting the same NWS protocols now in place for Sonora and Chihuahua.
Equines may be imported from anywhere in Mexico but must undergo a 7-day quarantine and meet strict entry requirements. Approved equine facilities will be available at the Santa Teresa port upon reopening.
Mexico is also renovating its sterile fly facility in Metapa, set for completion by July 2026. Once operational, it will produce up to 100 million sterile flies weekly, contributing to efforts to rebuild a protective NWS barrier at the Darien Gap.
USDA continues to monitor the situation closely, with each port reopening subject to ongoing evaluation.
