Mexico Resumes Livestock Sales to U.S. Following Screwworm Ban
Mexico has resumed livestock sales to the United States after a year-long ban due to concerns over the New World screwworm fly. The ban, imposed in May 2025, significantly impacted cattle industries on both sides of the border. Shipments will…
Fort Myers Naples, FL, August 22, 2026 —
Mexico has restarted the sale of livestock to the United States, marking an end to a year-long prohibition enacted due to worries surrounding the New World screwworm fly.
The ban, which took effect in May 2025, had a notable effect on the cattle sectors in both Mexico and the United States. The resumption of trade brings a degree of relief to ranchers and industry stakeholders.
Initial shipments of livestock will operate under stringent protocols designed to mitigate the risk of parasite spread. These controls include daily caps on the number of cattle that can be imported and mandatory electronic tagging and screening processes for all animals. The plan is to systematically increase import volumes as these measures prove effective and the risk is managed.
The United States government has emphasized that these measures are crucial for preventing the dissemination of the New World screwworm fly. The parasite has also been identified in parts of Texas and New Mexico, underscoring the need for vigilance on both sides of the border.
Ranchers in Mexico are expressing a cautious optimism regarding the reopening of export markets. The ability to sell livestock to the U.S. is a significant economic factor for many producers, and the lifting of the ban, even with strict controls, is seen as a positive development.
Further details regarding the specific daily limits and the timeline for increasing import volumes were not provided. The exact duration of the initial strict controls will also depend on ongoing assessments of the screwworm situation.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
Media gallery