The United States Department of Agriculture announced yesterday the gradual reopening of border crossings on the border with Mexico to livestock trade starting July 7th after nearly two months of complete closure as a measure to prevent the entry of the screwworm infestation.
According to an announcement made by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the first port to reopen to livestock trade would be Agua Prieta/Douglas, but they would initially only admit livestock from the states of Sonora and Chihuahua that have passed the screwworm prevention protocol.
The press release highlights that the port of Douglas, Arizona, presents the lowest risk based on Sonora’s geography and a long history of effective collaboration between the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Sonora on animal health issues.
“We have made significant progress with our counterparts in Mexico to intensify important pest surveillance efforts and have stepped up sterile fly dispersal efforts,” Rollins said, recalling that the border closure occurred on May 11.
“These swift actions by the Trump administration have improved conditions to allow the gradual reopening of select ports on the border (with Mexico) to livestock trade,” Rollins added, recalling that the May 11 ban applied to cattle, horses, and bison.
Immediately afterward, on July 21, the border opening will follow at the San Jerónimo-Santa Teresa port.
LITTLE BY LITTLE
The United States Department of Agriculture will gradually open the border to Mexican livestock.
THE PORTS THAT WILL REOPEN ARE:
Douglas, Arizona: July 7.
Columbus, New Mexico: July 14.
Santa Teresa, New Mexico: July 21. July.
Del Río, Texas: August 18 (subject to Coahuila adopting NWS protocols).
Laredo, Texas: September 15 (subject to Nuevo León adopting NWS protocols).
IMPORT REQUIREMENTS ARE:
Cattle and buffalo:
Born and raised in Sonora or Chihuahua.
Treated according to the NWS protocol for cattle and buffalo upon entering these states.
SONORA GOVERNOR HIGHLIGHTS REOPENING OF LIVESTOCK EXPORTS
The reopening of the border will be possible thanks to the management and coordination work with the Government of Mexico and U.S. authorities, so that Sonoran producers can continue crossing live cattle across the Agua Prieta border, emphasized Governor Alfonso Durazo Montaño.
The state executive branch highlighted the official announcement as the result of close collaboration between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Mexican Federal Service (SFE). The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and its counterparts in Mexico are working to intensify surveillance, detection, and eradication of the screwworm (NWS).
American authorities have already informed us of the opening of the Agua Prieta cattle export station. This is great news for Sonoran producers and ranchers. We will continue working to reopen the Nogales station, but for now, Agua Prieta has confirmed the cattle crossing starting on the 7th,” stated the Sonoran governor.
Source: elimparcial
