The Agriculture Department is lifting a ban on cattle imports from Mexico as the Trump administration aims to lower beef prices ahead of the midterm elections, two people familiar with the matter confirmed on Friday.
The administration had banned imports as part of its effort to contain the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite threatening U.S. livestock.
USDA later on Friday announced that it will open the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry to cattle trade on Aug. 24, while simultaneously initiating the operational steps necessary for openings at two ports in New Mexico, Santa Teresa and Columbus. No ports along the Texas border were mentioned and the agency said the ports could be closed again, if needed.
“Protecting the United States from [New World screwworm] and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.
