President Claudia Sheinbaum said the U.S. border has reopened for Mexican cattle exports following a decision by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The resumption of these exports restores a critical trade link between the two nations and removes a significant economic barrier for the Mexican livestock industry.
Mexico met the requirements set by the USDA after more than one year [1] of joint technical work. This collaboration focused on the eradication of the barrenador worm, a parasite that previously halted shipments. As part of the strategy, Mexico installed a sterile-fly production plant in Chiapas to combat the pest.
Sheinbaum said the reopening will occur in phases. Shipments are starting through the state of Sonora and will later expand to include Chihuahua.
The process involved extensive coordination between agricultural officials to ensure the biological threat was neutralized. The sterile-fly technique is a primary tool in this effort, designed to crash the population of the worm by introducing sterile males into the environment.
This development follows a period of negotiation and technical verification to ensure the safety of U.S. livestock from the parasite. The reopening marks the end of a restrictive period for ranchers in northern Mexico who rely on the U.S. market for their cattle.
“Mexico met the requirements set by the USDA after more than a year of joint technical work.”
The reopening of the border for cattle exports signals a successful diplomatic and technical resolution to a public health crisis. By investing in infrastructure like the Chiapas sterile-fly plant, Mexico has not only restored trade but established a long-term biological defense mechanism to prevent future export bans.
