New World Screwworm
USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins discusses cattle port safeguards, screwworm surveillance, and plans to expand sterile fly production in Texas.
Horse exports through the Del Rio facility may resume while New World screwworm safeguards remain in place.
U.S. cattle supplies remain historically tight as concerns over beef affordability continue.
USDA is releasing about 100 million sterile flies per week in Texas and Mexico.
Santa Teresa livestock port reopens September 24, restoring another cattle trade route from Mexico while maintaining new safeguards against New World screwworm.
Horses and other livestock are reportedly crossing parts of the border without normal health inspections.
USDA researchers say the method could also produce healthier males for release in the field.
Texas has lifted movement restrictions in five counties after officials determined wild screwworm populations had been eliminated in those areas.