USCA: Screwworm Threat Still Too Great to Reopen Border

July 29, 2026

United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is disappointed in USDA’s decision to move forward with reopening the southern border to Mexican cattle while so many unresolved risks remain for the U.S. herd. USCA underscores that border policy must be driven by science‑based risk assessment and on‑the‑ground capacity.

“Any effort to lower beef prices must not come at the expense of U.S. cattle herd health,” said USCA President Justin Tupper. “We’ve been encouraged to rebuild the domestic herd, that it is of utmost importance, and unnecessary exposure to animal health threats is a risk we do not need to take.”

USCA outlined three core expectations moving forward:

1.    Enforce the highest possible import standards on Mexican cattle.

USCA agrees that any border reopening plan must require Mexico’s full cooperation and demonstrated capacity to do its part on its side of the border. At this point, there is still serious uncertainty about caseloads within Mexico, particularly on a per‑state basis, and multiple benchmarks have not been met. Current sterile fly production numbers are not sufficient to match the scale of the threat. The Metapa, Mexico and Moore Air Base facilities are not officially online to contribute to that effort.

 2.    Full transparency and communication from USDA and Mexico.

USCA still has concerns over Mexico’s ability to adequately track animal movements across state borders and to publicly share per‑state caseload data. “We expect total transparency on those two data points – the same standard the U.S. has adhered to from the beginning. We also expect USDA to be fully transparent about the risk assessment benchmarks they are using to reopen specific ports of entry,” said Tupper.

 3.    A laser focus on domestic eradication and producer tools.

USCA insists that now is the time to double‑down on domestic eradication efforts, not relax them. That includes:

·      Expanding sterile fly production capacity through public‑private partnerships to supplement the COPEG facility in Panama.

·      Giving U.S. producers access to every tool in the toolbox to stay ahead of infestations – not just treatment options after an infected case is found.

·      Ensuring that federal and state agencies are funded and staffed to respond rapidly and effectively to any incursion.

USCA acknowledged and thanked USDA and APHIS personnel for their work to combat the reemergence of the New World screwworm since 2024. “We appreciate USDA and APHIS’ efforts to eradicate NWS since this pest became a renewed concern,” Tupper said. “APHIS personnel are on the ground in both Mexico and the United States and have been proactive in communicating with the industry up to this point. But that hard work cannot be undercut by premature border decisions that increase risk for U.S. producers.”

USCA Animal Health Committee Chair Mark Silverstein emphasizes that technical safeguards must match the level of risk introduced by reopening. “Per the science and the field data we have today, any reopening of the border must be paired with aggressive, well‑funded eradication and monitoring tools – from expanded sterile fly production to robust inspection and holding protocols at the ports of entry,” Silverstein said. “If the livestock industry is to be asked to bear the burden of greatest risk, the government must be willing to fully resource the systems we rely on to keep NWS infestation at an absolute minimum.”

USCA stands ready to work with the Administration and Congress on policies that build – not bypass – U.S. cattle producers. “Our ranchers produce the highest‑quality beef in the world,” Tupper said. “We want them to feel confident in continuing that way of life. To do this, we need to show them that we appreciate their investment and that it is safe for them to do so.” 

Source: U.S. Cattlemen's Association