This week, live cattle began entering the United States from Mexico once again, after the trade flow had been halted due to the confirmed presence of the New World screwworm in the Mexican herd—a parasite that has been spreading northward from Central America, Reuters reported.
The USDA announced last week a gradual reopening of the border to Mexican cattle, starting this week with the crossing at Douglas, Arizona, considered the location with the lowest risk of disease entry.
The border had been closed on May 11 due to the presence of the fly, and the measure remained in effect for nearly a month, contributing to the overheating of the U.S. cattle market, where the national herd has dropped to its lowest level in seven decades.
