Payam Javan: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will lift the ban on imports of Mexican cattle, which was implemented over a year ago to halt the spread of the New World screwworm. While the restriction aimed to protect domestic livestock from the flesh-eating pest, it significantly constrained the U.S. beef supply, driving consumer prices to record highs. Ultimately, the ban failed to keep the screwworm out of the country, as the parasite was detected on farms in Texas and New Mexico in June.
Under the newly announced plan, the USDA will resume cattle imports through a phased approach, starting at a port of entry in Douglas, Arizona, in approximately 30 days. The agency plans to eventually open two additional ports of entry in New Mexico, provided that Mexico strictly adheres to agreed-upon control protocols for the screwworm. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum welcomed the decision, stating she has directed local authorities to expedite preparations to ensure livestock exports can resume by late August.
The prolonged border closure has had severe economic repercussions for the $100 billion U.S. beef industry, which contracted significantly during the ban. Coupled with ongoing drought conditions that forced American ranchers to downsize their herds, the lack of imports pushed domestic cattle supplies to a 75-year low. This shortage drove up operating costs for major meatpackers, leading to the closure of high-capacity processing facilities by industry giants Tyson Foods and JBS.
The decision to lift the ban has drawn mixed reactions from agricultural officials and industry representatives. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller expressed support for the resumption of trade but criticized the USDA for delaying the decision, arguing that the prolonged closure caused unnecessary disruption to supply chains. Conversely, Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute, supported the phased reopening, noting that importing Mexican cattle will help packers meet consumer demand amidst tight domestic supplies.
However, some industry groups remain skeptical about the biosecurity risks associated with reopening the border. Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, warned that resuming imports could incentivize the movement of cattle from endemic regions in southern Mexico, thereby increasing the risk of further screwworm infestations in the United States. In contrast, the Texas Cattle Feeders Association argued that scientific data supports a safe resumption of trade, provided that rigorous inspection and quarantine protocols are maintained at the designated ports of entry.
