Sec. Rollins shuts down livestock trade at U.S. southern border ports due to NWS case in Mexico

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has closed all ports of entry at the southern border, just days after a phased reopening. It comes as USDA learned of a fresh detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico.

Mexico’s animal safety team confirmed the pest was discovered in a small municipality in Veracruz, which is about 160 miles north of a sterile fly facility and about 400 miles south of the U.S. border.

As a result, Secretary Rollins says all future planned reopenings at the U.S. border are on pause. On Monday, a port of entry reopened in Arizona. In a statement, Rollins said she is closing livestock trade at all southern ports of entry, effective immediately. She wants to see more progress on Mexico’s part in battling New World Screwworm.

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is happy with the decision but wants further action at home. CEO Colin Woodall says the Screwworm’s travel north jeopardizes the safety of American agriculture. He is calling for an expedited opening of a sterile fly facility here in the U.S., saying we cannot wait any longer, and he is urging USDA to begin plans as soon as possible. In June, Secretary Rollins announced groundbreaking of that facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas.

Related Stories
According to November’s Cattle on Feed Report, Nebraska now leads the nation in cattle feeding as tighter supplies continue to reshape regional market power and long-term price dynamics.
Lower U.S. and Mexican production means tighter sugar supplies and greater reliance on imports headed into 2026.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.
Early Cattle-on-Feed estimates point to slightly tighter cattle supplies, reinforcing the need to monitor prices and timing for winter marketing.
Removing the 40% duty sharply lowers U.S. beef import costs on beef, coffee, fertilizer and fruit, and restores Brazil’s competitiveness during a period of tight domestic supply.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
Alex Templeton works alongside her dad, sharing her life through social media and her blog Ag Talk with Alex.
Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.