Rollins will hold a press conference at 9:10 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Santa Teresa Cattle Crossing, 100 Cattlemen Drive in Sunland Park.
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Photos: Courtesy
Cover Photo Caption: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins (seated left) hosted an event at Moore Air Base in Texas to announce new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), reinforcing a whole-of-government commitment to protect the nation’s food, agriculture, and veterinary systems from emerging threats like New World screwworm (NWS).
The Santa Teresa livestock crossing is set to take another step toward normal operations Thursday as U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins travels to southern New Mexico to announce the port’s reopening.
Rollins will hold a press conference at 9:10 a.m. Sept. 17 at the Santa Teresa Cattle Crossing, 100 Cattlemen Drive in Sunland Park.
The reopening is part of a phased restoration of livestock trade through southern ports following restrictions imposed in response to the spread of New World screwworm.
USDA announced the current reopening plan in July, beginning with the Douglas, Arizona, port on Aug. 24. Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, were identified as the next ports that could reopen after federal animal-health officials evaluated the Douglas operation and any changes in risk.
Under the plan announced in July, livestock entering through reopened ports are subject to USDA inspection for signs of New World screwworm.
The parasite poses a particular threat because its larvae feed on the living tissue of animals. It can infest livestock, pets and wildlife and, more rarely, people.
USDA has identified Chihuahua and Sonora as the lowest-risk Mexican states for the pest, citing their established animal-health inspection programs and their distance from southern Mexico, where most cases have been concentrated.
The agency has also said the reopening schedule remains dependent on animal-health conditions and Mexico’s progress under a joint action plan, and that port operations could again be paused if federal officials identify increased risk.
Thursday’s announcement comes after nearly a month of livestock imports through Douglas under the new protocols.
Rollins’ appearance in Santa Teresa will provide additional details about the reopening and the safeguards that will accompany renewed livestock movement through the southern New Mexico crossing.
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