News

USDA’s APHIS announces the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has announced the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico.  In late November, APHIS halted shipments of Mexican cattle and bison after a positive detection of New World screwworm in southern Mexico.   

APHIS and Mexico have agreed to a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and a treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and mitigate the threat of NWS.   

Cattle and bison approved for importation will also be dipped in a solution to ensure they are otherwise insect- and tick-free. The United States and Mexico are working closely to approve additional pre-export inspection pens and reopen trade through other ports of entry. 

APHIS says the top priority is to protect American livestock from foreign pests.   

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall says safely reopening trade is essential to the livelihood of many cattle farmers and ranchers.  NCBA says it appreciates the work the USDA and its counterparts in Mexico did to institute an inspection program that will protect the nation’s cattle herd from the threat of New World screwworm.  

APHIS says imports are scheduled to resume within the next several days.