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U.S.-Mexico border reopens to cattle as New World screwworm ban lifts
KJZZ • • nation
Key Points:
- Nearly 700 cattle crossed from Mexico into Douglas, Arizona, marking the first live cattle import in over a year amid efforts to control the New World screwworm parasite.
- Both U.S. and Mexican officials implemented rigorous inspection protocols, including screwworm-sniffing dogs, to ensure the cattle were healthy and posed negligible risk of parasite transmission.
- The reopening of the Douglas port serves as a pilot for potentially reopening additional U.S.-Mexico border ports for cattle importation under strict health protocols.
- Ranchers in Arizona, like Frank Ambriz, support the reopening despite concerns about potential price drops, preferring live cattle imports over tariff adjustments on ground beef announced by President Trump.
- The parasite continues to be a concern, with recent cases in Sonora, Mexico, but officials maintain that the cattle crossing are free from infection and safe for U.S. herds.
