USDA to Reopen Douglas Port and Invest $25 Million in Arizona Screwworm Facility

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $25 million commitment toward a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona as the department prepares to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry to livestock trade on August 24.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the investment July 29 during a visit to the Douglas port, where she reviewed livestock inspection preparations with Arizona officials and members of Congress.

The planned facility is intended to strengthen the long-term response to New World screwworm (NWS), a pest that can threaten livestock. USDA said the Arizona facility would complement existing sterile fly investments in Texas, Mexico, and Panama.

“Protecting American agriculture begins with protecting our borders and ensuring we have the strongest animal health safeguards anywhere in the world. The Douglas Port of Entry will reopen only because USDA has implemented one of the most rigorous livestock inspection protocols in history, giving us confidence we can safely resume this critical trade while ensuring cattle crossing the border are free from New World screwworm,” said Secretary Rollins. “At the same time, today’s announcement marks another major investment in our long-term strategy to push this pest back into Mexico and ultimately eradicate it from North America. Together with our partners in Arizona, we’re strengthening the infrastructure needed to protect American ranchers for generations to come.”

What Ranchers Need to Know

Under USDA's phased reopening plan, livestock entering the United States through the Douglas port will undergo multiple veterinary inspections, including inspections by USDA veterinarians before animals enter the country.

Any animal that does not meet Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) import requirements will be denied entry. USDA said detection of NWS would immediately halt imports through the facility.

The reopening of Douglas is the first step in a broader phased plan for southern livestock ports. Following the reopening and continued evaluation of disease risks, USDA will consider reopening the Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, ports.

The timeline remains dependent on Mexico's continued adherence to the Joint Action Plan addressing NWS and on ongoing risk assessments.

Arizona Facility Planned

USDA said it will work with the Arizona Department of Agriculture and state leaders to determine the location and operational plan for the new sterile fly dispersal facility in Douglas. Depending on the selected site and existing infrastructure, construction could take as little as several months.

Sterile fly programs are part of USDA's broader strategy to respond to NWS threats and expand dispersal capabilities along the Southwest border.

“Proud to join Secretary Rollins for today’s announcement of the reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry alongside this critical investment in Arizona,” said Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06). “Local agriculture leaders and I have been fighting to deliver this sterile fly dispersal facility because Arizona’s livestock industry cannot afford to wait on the New World screwworm threat. This $25 million investment is the direct result of that work, and I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for listening to Arizona’s producers and delivering on it. Her responsiveness and willingness to act swiftly on commonsense solutions has made a real difference. This is Secretary Rollins’ second visit to Arizona in just a few months, reflecting her commitment to hearing directly from those on the ground and delivering real results for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”

Douglas Monitoring Continues

APHIS and Arizona state personnel have maintained trapping operations near Douglas during the past year. USDA said nearly 1,000 flies were submitted for testing, with none identified as NWS by scientific experts.

USDA and Arizona officials have also conducted coordination exercises, preparedness planning, stakeholder outreach, and response training as part of preparations for a potential NWS threat in the region.

USDA selected Douglas as the first southern livestock port for reopening because Sonora has one of Mexico's strongest animal health systems and remains the lowest-risk state for NWS, according to the department. The Douglas facility is also equipped to implement the enhanced inspection protocols.

USDA said it will continue monitoring conditions and could pause or adjust reopening plans if the risk profile changes.