Key Takeaways
- The USDA announced the resumption of cattle imports from Mexico after a ban due to the New World screwworm parasite.
- New pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocols will be implemented at designated inspection pens in Mexico.
- The import ban had exacerbated cattle supply constraints in the U.S., leading to higher beef prices.
Resumption of Cattle Imports from Mexico
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will allow cattle imports from Mexico to resume under an agreed pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol for the New World screwworm parasite. The decision comes after a ban that began in November 2023 when the screwworm was detected in southern Mexico.
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that imports would recommence within days. To ensure the safety and health of the animals, the two countries have established procedures for the inspection and treatment of cattle and bison before they enter the U.S.
Under the new protocol, pre-export inspection pens will be set up in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora. Mexican authorities will carry out inspections and treatment for screwworms before the animals are placed in these pens. After passing through the Mexican inspections, the cattle will undergo a final inspection by U.S. officials at the ports of Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Douglas, Arizona.
In addition to inspections, cattle and bison deemed fit for import will be treated with a solution to ensure they are free of other insects and ticks. The USDA has indicated that efforts are underway to open more pre-export inspection pens to facilitate the process.
The import ban had significant implications for the U.S. cattle market, as it constricted the supply of cattle. This scarcity has been a driving force behind the historically high prices for beef and cattle in the United States. The recent decisions aim to alleviate these supply constraints while ensuring the health and safety of livestock entering the country.
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