Sheinbaum Announces Resumption of Cattle Exports to U.S.; Cites 'Great Results' from Cooperation

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the United States will resume importing Mexican cattle in late August. The U.S. conveyed this decision through a letter from Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, officially notifying the Mexican government.

The export of Mexican cattle to the U.S. was halted after cases of cattle screwworm were detected in southern Mexico. The first case in Mexico was confirmed on November 21, 2024, in Chiapas, marking the pest's return after more than three decades.

President Sheinbaum instructed officials to expedite coordination between the two countries to ensure a swift restart of cattle movement. The reopening will begin at the Agua Prieta border crossing in Sonora, with two more points in Chihuahua to be activated subsequently. Sheinbaum expressed her pleasure, calling the decision "great news" for the national livestock sector.

Sheinbaum acknowledged the efforts of Mexican producers in containing the screwworm plague and commended the work of the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development (Sader) and the National Service of Health, Food Safety, and Quality Agroalimentaria (Senasica). She also recognized the contributions of Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué and Senasica's Director of Animal Health, Columba López, for meeting the sanitary requirements that facilitated the market's reopening.

The President highlighted the decision as an example of how dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect between Mexico and the United States yield beneficial results for both nations. She specifically thanked U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, with whom she has built a "respectful and very positive" working relationship, contributing to the resumption of Mexican cattle exports.