The United States will resume imports of cattle from Mexico starting August 24, more than a year after suspending trade due to an outbreak of the New World screwworm in Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Friday that the reopening will begin at the Arizona border crossing, marking the first phase of renewed cattle imports.

The ban was initially imposed following the detection of the screwworm parasite, which was first identified in Mexico in November 2024 and has since spread to 29 of the country’s 32 states. According to official Mexican data, there are currently 1,792 active cases of the screwworm reported nationwide.

Despite the continuation of the outbreak in Mexico, the USDA emphasized that cattle crossing into the United States will be subjected to rigorous inspection and control measures to prevent the introduction of the pest. The agency aims to safeguard the health of U.S. livestock while gradually restoring trade with Mexico.

The screwworm was also recently detected within the United States, with more than 30 cases reported in Texas and southeastern New Mexico last month. This development underscores the ongoing risk posed by the parasite, which infests and damages livestock, potentially causing severe economic and agricultural impacts.

Mexico’s cattle export market to the United States remains important, with the reopening seen as a critical step toward normalizing trade relations after the disruption caused by the screwworm outbreak and related restrictions. U.S. authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to balance economic interests with animal health and safety concerns.