U.S. to lift Mexican cattle ban with strict screwworm safeguards starting Aug. 24

A year after a ban was imposed because of a screwworm outbreak, the United States plans to resume live cattle shipments from Mexico on Aug. 24 via the Douglas, Arizona crossing adjacent to Agua Prieta, Sonora. Initial allowances will cap daily exports at 700 cattle, rising gradually to 1,300 as the program progresses. The USDA will enforce new measures, including RFID ear tags, electronic readers and detection dogs, before permitting cattle to cross.

Mexico’s veterinary authority, represented by Arturo Ruiz, confirmed acceptance of the rules, while ranchers such as Martín Alfonso Ibarra and union leader Juan Carlos Ochoa expressed concerns that the restrictions could limit earnings after a 40% income drop last year. The screwworm, first identified in Mexico in November 2024, has spread to most states but cases have fallen to 1,969, indicating progress in containment. The reopening aims to ease beef shortages in both countries that surged during the import halt.