DOUGLAS, Ariz. (KVOA) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the Douglas Port of Entry will be the first to reopen for cattle imports from Mexico after more than a year of restrictions aimed at keeping a dangerous livestock pest out of the country.
The announcement comes just weeks after the first reported case of the New World Screwworm in the U.S. in decades. The disease comes from a flesh-eating fly that lays eggs in the wounds of livestock and can be deadly to animals.
"We have only seen 42 cases, nine active cases. 31 of those cases were in June, 11 in July, so those numbers are actually coming down against what all data said and what most people would say is in the realm of possible," U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins said.
Rollins says strict inspection protocols will help ensure reopening this port in late August doesn't bring the disease further into the U.S. Cattle will undergo multiple rounds of veterinary inspections before crossing the border.
"Number one before crossing the border on this side, cattle will be fully inspected by USDA not just Mexico for any wounds or other health conditions. At export cattle will receive another round of veterinary inspection so at this point three rounds by a licensed veterinarian before they even cross through this gate they will have been inspected by veterinarians and of course by our dogs and horse programs," Rollins said.
According to Rollins if something is detected, the entire lot of cattle will be rejected to enter the U.S., not just the one head. For ranchers, the reopening brings some relief after months of uncertainty.
"It benefits the cattle industry and the beef industry in Arizona. We've got a lot of feedlots that were relying heavily on Mexican cattle," said Joe King, a cattle rancher in Three Points, Arizona.
King said the measures make him feel confident about the reopening.
"They're utilizing a lot of new science and new techniques to discover screwworm. So those cattle coming through are very safe to come across. We're very impressed with that and we're happy to see it happen," King said.
Rollins also announced the USDA will fund a new fly dispersal facility in Douglas to help stop the spread of the disease. The facility will produce and release sterile flies, a tool officials have used for decades to help control the New World Screwworm population.
No word yet on when that facility is set to open. The Douglas Port of Entry is set to reopen for cattle trade in late August.