Key facts
- Mexico has resumed livestock sales to the U.S. after a year-long ban related to screwworm.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture will implement new controls, including RFID tagging and enhanced inspections.
- Initial daily import limits will be 700 cattle, gradually increasing.
- The ban had significantly impacted the cattle and beef industries in both countries.
- Mexico exported approximately 1.2 million head of cattle to the U.S. annually before the ban.
Mexico is resuming livestock sales to the United States on August 24, ending a year-long ban imposed due to concerns over the New World screwworm fly. The parasite, which burrows into wounds of warm-blooded animals, had spread to 30 of Mexico's 32 states, with cases also detected in Texas and New Mexico.
The ban significantly impacted both countries' cattle and beef industries, exacerbating a U.S. livestock shortage and reducing income for Mexican ranchers. Last year, Mexico's cattle export business generated $1.2 billion.
Under new U.S. protocols, imports will initially be restricted, with daily cattle shipments capped at 700 in the first week, rising to 900 in the second, and gradually increasing. Cattle will require radio-frequency identification tags and undergo screening by electronic readers and trained dogs, with U.S. Department of Agriculture officials conducting inspections.
While Mexico has accepted these protocols, some ranchers, like Martín Alfonso Ibarra, express frustration, noting the restrictions will slow shipments. Juan Carlos Ochoa, president of the Regional Livestock Union of Sonora, called for more technical and reasonable approaches from authorities, arguing that greater cattle flow is needed to address supply shortages.
The U.S. felt the impact of the ban through record-high beef prices and closures at some meat-processing plants. Before the suspension, Mexico exported about 1.2 million head of cattle to the U.S. annually. Mexican ranchers faced income losses of nearly 40% when forced to sell domestically at lower prices.