USDA to Resume Mexican Cattle Imports Amid Screwworm Concerns
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to resume cattle imports from Mexico starting August 24, 2026, despite ongoing concerns about the New World screwworm outbreak. The decision comes after the screwworm was detected in the U.S. earlier this summer, marking the first confirmed cases in decades. The USDA plans a phased reopening of cattle ports, beginning with Douglas, Arizona, and later expanding to New Mexico. Each animal will undergo inspection to ensure it is free of screwworm. The USDA's efforts include releasing sterilized male screwworms to curb the population, a method previously successful in the 1960s. However, Texas agriculture leaders express concerns that the USDA's response has been insufficient, urging for more robust measures to protect the livestock industry. 
