US-Mexico cattle crossing at Santa Teresa set to reopen

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a phased reopening of southern‑border cattle ports, beginning with the Douglas, Arizona crossing on 24 August. The Santa Teresa, New Mexico, entry point – a major conduit for bovine and equine imports and exports – is expected to resume operations by late September, pending U.S. health‑status reviews of Mexico.

Director Daniel Manzanares of the Santa Teresa International Cattle Crossing said facilities are ready and expressed cautious optimism, noting the closure of more than a year caused million‑dollar losses and hundreds of job cuts. The reopening would restore a trade flow worth billions of dollars that supports producers in Chihuahua, Texas and New Mexico, as well as transport, hospitality and agricultural service businesses.

The suspension was originally imposed due to the spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico. Stakeholders are monitoring sanitary conditions before the final clearance.