Cattle organizations are supporting USDA's decision to begin a phased reopening of the southern border to live cattle imports from Mexico after progress in controlling New World Screwworm. The Douglas, Arizona, port of entry is scheduled to reopen in 30 days, with ports at Columbus and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, expected to follow after additional biosecurity reviews. National Cattlemen's Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall says USDA's aggressive response has "put us in a strong position to begin safely and gradually reopening our southern border to cattle shipments." The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also praised the phased approach, saying the temporary closure gave officials time to strengthen surveillance, expand sterile fly production, and improve response protocols. Both groups emphasized they will continue supporting strong safeguards to protect the U.S. cattle herd while allowing normal cattle commerce to resume.
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