USDA Plans Phased Reopening of Southern Cattle Ports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans for a phased reopening of southern cattle ports of entry, allowing livestock trade to resume while continuing measures to prevent the spread of New World screwworm (NWS).

Beginning Aug. 24, 2026, USDA will reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry to cattle trade. The agency will also begin operational steps for potential future openings at the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Columbus, New Mexico, ports.

All animals entering the United States through these ports will undergo a full USDA inspection to verify they show no signs of NWS.

“Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry. Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.”

USDA said the reopening plan is contingent on Mexico’s adherence to the Joint Action Plan and satisfactory progress on priority action plan milestones.

New World Screwworm Concerns Drive Port Closures

The southern ports were closed for the past year as part of efforts to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect U.S. livestock.

USDA identified Sonora and Chihuahua as the lowest-risk Mexican states for NWS due to established inspection programs and their distance from southern Mexico, where most cases have been concentrated.

The agency said Sonora and Chihuahua have maintained animal health infrastructure programs built on previous disease control measures. USDA noted that while other areas of Mexico have not been able to stop the spread or prevent legal and illegal movement of animals, Sonora and Chihuahua have a record of success in those areas.

The Douglas port, which borders Sonora, is scheduled to reopen first. USDA reported the closest active NWS case to the Douglas port was approximately 325 miles away and was detected July 22, 2026.

Additional Port Openings Remain Under Review

Following the initial reopening, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will evaluate the results and consider whether to reopen the Santa Teresa and Columbus ports for live cattle, bison and horses.

The reopening timeline remains flexible and may change depending on Mexico’s progress in meeting action plan milestones and addressing critical issues.

USDA said port openings may be paused if increased risk is identified in Sonora or Chihuahua through post-opening audits or other observations and information.

The agency continues to provide updates on its response to New World screwworm through its APHIS livestock disease resources.