USDA to Reopen Third Border Crossing for Mexican Cattle Imports

The USDA plans to reopen another border crossing for Mexican cattle imports, despite ongoing concerns over the New World screwworm.

As of yesterday, October 26th, the port of entry in Columbus, New Mexico, will resume cattle trade—marking the third crossing reopened under the department’s phased restoration plan. Reopenings in Douglas, Arizona, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, took place earlier this fall.

The parasite remains a severe threat to livestock, as screwworm larvae feed on living tissue and can cause fatal injuries. Recent detections in southwestern New Mexico, along with the first U.S. wildlife case in a Texas elk, have heightened industry concerns. The USDA maintains that enhanced inspection safeguards will minimize disease risks and plans to reopen the Nogales, Arizona, crossing on November 30th if safety standards are met.