The USDA announced plans to reopen the border to cattle and bison imports from Mexico following the detection of New World screwworm in the country.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Mexico agreed to implement a pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to mitigate the threat of the screwworm. Under the agreement, Mexico will immediately notify the agency if the screwworm is detected again, and USDA will temporarily suspend cattle imports into the country. Any cattle already at the border for import would not be eligible for entry.
As part of the protocol, Mexico identified and prepared pre-export inspect pens in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua and Agua Prieta, Sonora, which USDA has inspected and approved. All cattle and bison approved for importation will be dipped in a solution to ensure they are insect- and tick-free.
