Mexico City — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed optimism that the U.S. will reopen its border to Mexican cattle exports “very soon,” following bilateral agreements aimed at controlling the outbreak of the screwworm pest.
The border closure was initially announced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 12, imposing a 15-day halt on Mexican cattle imports after cases of the screwworm parasite were detected. However, the restriction has remained in effect beyond the initial timeline, according to a report by the Xinhua news agency.
Speaking during her daily press conference at the National Palace, President Sheinbaum reassured livestock producers that discussions were progressing swiftly. “We hope it will be very soon,” she said, referring to the anticipated resumption of cattle exports.
Sheinbaum revealed that a USDA delegation will travel to Mexico in the coming days to verify the implementation of a comprehensive work plan developed by joint technical committees. A central component of the plan involves the construction of a sterile fly production facility in Chiapas — a key step in eradicating the screwworm infestation.
“They will come to confirm the technical agreement that already exists,” Sheinbaum noted. “The important thing is that there are already agreements in place. This plant will be installed, and we hope that based on this, the border will open very soon.”
To support the initiative, the U.S. government has pledged $21 million for the development of the sterile fly facility. Sheinbaum confirmed that no additional government funding would be required. “Basically, that is the resource that is needed,” she said.
In a show of support, Mexico’s National Agricultural Council (CNA) issued a statement praising the cooperative efforts between the two governments. “The CNA celebrates the technical and political will of both governments to advance an agreement based on science, collaboration, and mutual trust,” the council said.
The CNA also expressed confidence that the formal reopening of U.S. border crossings for Mexican cattle is imminent. The move is expected to bring relief to producers, stabilize the livestock supply chain, and reaffirm the principles of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), under which livestock trade is a key component.
“The decision will restore trade, mitigate the impact on producers, and provide certainty to the livestock value chain within the framework of the USMCA,” the CNA stated.
As the two nations work together to eliminate the screwworm threat, industry leaders and government officials alike remain hopeful that cattle trade will soon resume — restoring a crucial economic link between Mexico and the United States.
