Cattle and Bison Imports from Mexico to Resume Under New Protocols
by Maggie Malson, Bovine Veterinarian
On February 1, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced cattle and bison imports from Mexico will resume utilizing new preventative measures.
In November 2024, APHIS halted shipments of Mexican cattle and bison after a positive detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in southern Mexico. According to the release, APHIS and Mexico agreed to and implemented a comprehensive pre-clearance inspection and treatment protocol to ensure safe movement and mitigate the threat of NWS. APHIS says its top priority is to protect American livestock from foreign pests.
Newly released preventative measures include:
• Mexico identified and prepared pre-export inspection pens in San Jeronimo, Chihuahua, and Agua Prieta, Sonora, which APHIS visited, inspected, and approved.
• Cattle and bison will be inspected and treated for screwworm by trained and authorized veterinarians prior to entering the pre-export inspection pens, followed by inspection by Mexican officials before proceeding to final APHIS inspection before crossing at the Santa Teresa and Douglas Ports of Entry, respectively.
• Cattle and bison approved for importation will also be dipped in a solution to ensure they are otherwise insect- and tick-free.
The United States and Mexico are working closely to approve additional pre-export inspection pens and reopen trade through other ports of entry, the release says. APHIS will continue working with partners in Mexico and Central America to eradicate NWS from the affected areas and to reestablish the biological barrier in Panama, which has been maintained since 2006.
In the last two years, screwworm has spread north of the barrier throughout Panama and into Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize, and now Mexico. The APHIS release says the increase is due to multiple factors including new areas of farming in previous barrier regions for fly control and increased cattle movements into the region.
APHIS is releasing sterile flies through aerial and ground release at strategic locations, focusing on Southern Mexico and other areas throughout Central America. A complete list of regions APHIS recognizes as affected by screwworm as well as more detailed information on trade restrictions can be found on the USDA APHIS Animal Health Status of Regions website.
US Agricultural Exports in Fiscal Year 2025 Forecast at $170.0 Billion
USDA
US agricultural exports in fiscal year (FY) 2025 are forecast at $170.0 billion, up $500 million from the August 2024 forecast. This projection is primarily driven by increases in livestock and dairy exports. Beef exports are projected $400 million higher to $8.8 billion as higher volumes offset lower unit values. Dairy exports are raised $300 million to $8.4 billion based on increased US price competitiveness for a number of products. Overall livestock, poultry, and dairy exports are forecast to increase by $700 million to $39.3 billion. Grain and feed exports are forecast at $36.5 billion, up $200 million from the August forecast, as higher exports of corn and sorghum more than offset moderately lower wheat and feed and fodder exports. Horticultural exports are projected at $41.7 billion, up $200 million from August due to increases in fresh and processed fruit and vegetable exports. Oilseed and product exports are projected at $33.5 billion, down $500 million due to lower soybean and peanut volumes. Cotton exports are forecast down $200 million to $4.3 billion due to lower volumes. The forecast for ethanol exports is lowered by $100 million to $4.2 billion, as falling export unit values offset slightly higher volumes.
Exports to Mexico, the top US agricultural market, are forecast $700 million higher from the August projection to $29.9 billion, driven by continued robust demand for a range of products. The export forecast for Canada is $300 million higher to a record-high $29.2 billion, supported by a strong economic outlook. Agricultural exports to China are forecast at $23.3 billion, down $700 million from the August projection.
US agricultural imports in FY 2025 are forecast at $215.5 billion, up $3.5 billion from the August projection, led by increases in horticultural as well as sugar and tropical product imports. .
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