Douglas Arizona Port Set to Resume Livestock Imports in August
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a phased plan to reopen southern border ports for livestock trade between the United States and Mexico. The move follows progress made under a joint action plan designed to control and prevent the spread of New World screwworm (NWS), a serious livestock pest.
The first port scheduled to reopen is the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry on August 24, 2026. USDA officials said every animal entering the port will undergo a full inspection to ensure it is free from signs of screwworm infection.
“Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.
She continued, “The closure of the Southern ports of entry for the last year has been a tough but necessary action to control the spread of NWS in Mexico and protect the American livestock industry. Thanks to the work across the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.”
USDA closed southern livestock ports over the past year to reduce the risk of NWS entering the United States. According to the agency, the reopening reflects improvements in animal health monitoring and cooperation among federal, state, local, and industry partners.
Officials highlighted the Mexican states of Sonora and Chihuahua as lower-risk regions because of their strong livestock inspection systems and successful disease-control programs. Their location farther from the areas where most screwworm cases have been reported also supports the decision to restart trade.
Following the reopening of Douglas, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will evaluate the program's effectiveness before considering the reopening of additional ports at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and Columbus, New Mexico. These locations could eventually handle cattle, bison, and horse imports.
USDA emphasized that the process would remain flexible. Future port openings will depend on Mexico's continued progress in meeting action plan requirements and maintaining effective disease-control measures. The agency noted that trade operations could be paused if inspections or audits identify increased risks in border regions.
The phased reopening is intended to support livestock trade while protecting animal health and safeguarding the U.S. livestock industry from potential disease threats. USDA officials say ongoing inspections and monitoring will remain a key part of the strategy as trade gradually resumes.
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