The USDA announced this past week that it will reopen ports of entry for Mexican cattle imports starting August 24, ending a yearlong suspension tied to concerns over New World screwworm. Industry groups have been largely supportive of the phased approach, which begins with Douglas, Arizona, followed by potential reopenings in Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico.

The Meat Institute’s president and CEO Julie Anna Potts credited Secretary Rollins for pairing sterile fly dispersal with federal investment, noting that Mexican cattle imports will help packers meet demand given the tight U.S. supply, while continuing to support domestic herd rebuilding. NCBA CEO Colin Woodall echoed that sentiment, saying the aggressive screwworm response bought the industry valuable time to improve domestic readiness and that the phased reopening will help normalize business for cattle operations in border states and the Southern Plains.

Texas Department of Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller welcomed the reopening as well, while emphasizing that continued vigilance remains essential given how disruptive the closure was for producers and supply chains over the past year.

Read more commentary on the phased USDA border opening from Successful Farming.