Texas pushes to reopen border to Mexican cattle “as soon as possible”

Texas, the state responsible for the largest share of U.S. beef production, believes conditions are already in place to reopen the border to Mexican cattle imports and is urging that trade to resume “as soon as possible.” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told EFE this after Washington failed to reach an agreement with Mexico to reopen the trade, which has been partially frozen for nearly a year due to an outbreak of screwworm fly.

“We need to open the border as soon as possible,” Miller said. “It can be done now without any risk of screwworm crossing with the cattle; we have plenty of safeguards and controls.”

Imports of cattle from Mexico play a key role in the U.S., averaging over 1 million head annually for decades —about 60% of total live cattle imports and roughly 3% of the national herd. Most of these animals are calves sent to ranches and feedlots in southern states —mainly Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico— where they are raised for beef production.