SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Thursday that the Santa Teresa livestock port of entry is expected to reopen Sept. 24, allowing cattle imports from Mexico to resume after more than a year of closure tied to concerns over New World screwworm.<\/p>\n
Rollins made the announcement at the Santa Teresa Cattle Crossing, saying the reopening is part of a phased plan that began with the reopening of the Douglas, Arizona, port about three weeks ago.<\/p>\n
Santa Teresa is the busiest livestock inspection port along the U.S.-Mexico border, accounting for 43% of Mexican cattle imports during the past five years, according to Rollins. Most cattle crossing through the port are sent to feedlots in Texas before entering the U.S. food supply.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on USDA announces planned reopening of Santa Teresa cattle port Sept. 24 (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The port was closed in May 2025 as federal officials worked to prevent New World screwworm \u2014 a parasite that can infest warm-blooded animals \u2014 from spreading into the United States.<\/p>\n
\u201cProtecting American livestock will always come first,\u201d Rollins said, adding that the reopening depends on continued compliance with inspection and safety protocols.<\/p>\n
She said there are currently two active New World screwworm cases in the United States and none in New Mexico.<\/p>\n
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins will announce Thursday the reopening of New Mexico\u2019s Santa Teresa Cattle Crossing<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
USDA officials said 48 cases have been confirmed nationwide, but no animals have died from the parasite.<\/p>\n
USDA has invested more than $1.3 billion in the response, Rollins said, including surveillance, drone flights, animal monitoring and the release of more than 1 billion sterile flies along the U.S.-Mexico border. Sterile flies are used to disrupt reproduction of the screwworm fly population.<\/p>\n
USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins said officials will process as many cattle as possible at Santa Teresa without compromising the inspections designed to keep the parasite out of the country.<\/p>\n
The Douglas port has processed about 5,000 head of livestock since reopening, with roughly 1,000 cattle crossing daily, officials said. The Santa Teresa facility is larger, but USDA did not provide a daily target for cattle crossings.<\/p>\n
Before cattle arrive at the Santa Teresa port, officials said the animals will be inspected in Chihuahua, Mexico, and undergo a full USDA inspection before entering the United States. The process includes treatment protocols, traceability measures and additional inspections.<\/p>\n
New Mexico Agriculture Secretary Jeff Witte said state and federal agencies, industry groups, New Mexico State University and wildlife officials have worked together to prepare for the reopening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a lot of work to do, but it\u2019s going to get done,\u201d Witte said.<\/p>\n
Rollins acknowledged the closure created financial challenges for cattle producers, Texas feedlots, border businesses and communities including El Paso. She said officials hope the reopening will help restore commerce and ease pressure on the cattle supply.<\/p>\n
The Santa Teresa reopening remains contingent on officials determining all safety protocols are working as expected. USDA officials said Columbus, New Mexico, could be the next livestock port to reopen if operations in Santa Teresa and Douglas continue successfully.<\/p>\n
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