By Jamie Martin
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to reopen the Douglas Port of Entry in Arizona for livestock imports on August 24, 2026, while introducing new measures to protect animal health and strengthen border security.
During a visit to the facility, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted USDA’s readiness to safely resume livestock trade. The agency has created enhanced inspection procedures to reduce the risk of New World Screwworm (NWS), a pest that threatens livestock production.
“Protecting American agriculture begins with protecting our borders and ensuring we have the strongest animal health safeguards anywhere in the world. The Douglas Port of Entry will reopen only because USDA has implemented one of the most rigorous livestock inspection protocols in history, giving us confidence we can safely resume this critical trade while ensuring cattle crossing the border are free from New World Screwworm,” said Secretary Rollins.
She continued, “At the same time, today’s announcement marks another major investment in our long-term strategy to push this pest back into Mexico and ultimately eradicate it from North America. Together with our partners in Arizona, we’re strengthening the infrastructure needed to protect American ranchers for generations to come.”
USDA also announced a $25 million commitment toward a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. The investment will improve the nation’s ability to respond quickly to screwworm threats and support long-term eradication efforts. The facility will work alongside existing sterile fly operations in Texas, Mexico, and Panama.
As part of the reopening process, every animal entering through the Douglas port will receive multiple veterinary inspections. USDA veterinarians will review livestock before entry into the United States. Animals that fail health requirements will not be allowed across the border. If a screwworm is detected, imports through the port will be halted immediately.
“Proud to join Secretary Rollins for today’s announcement of the reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry alongside this critical investment in Arizona. Local agriculture leaders and I have been fighting to deliver this sterile fly dispersal facility because Arizona’s livestock industry cannot afford to wait on the New World Screwworm threat. This $25 million investment is the direct result of that work, and I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for listening to Arizona’s producers and delivering on it,” said Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).
He added, “Her responsiveness and willingness to act swiftly on commonsense solutions has made a real difference. This is Secretary Rollins’ second visit to Arizona in just a few months, reflecting her commitment to hearing directly from those on the ground and delivering real results for our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”
State and federal officials have spent the past year preparing for this reopening. Trapping programs near Douglas collected nearly 1,000 flies for testing, and experts found no evidence of New World screwworm. Emergency response planning, training exercises, and stakeholder outreach activities were also completed to improve preparedness.
USDA selected Douglas as the first port to reopen because the neighboring Mexican state of Sonora has demonstrated strong animal health controls and remains among the lowest-risk regions for New World Screwworm. Additional border ports may reopen in the future based on continued risk evaluations and Mexico’s compliance with agreed pest-control actions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-imaginegolf
Categories: National