Texas lifts quarantine, while New Mexico resumes livestock imports

The Texas Animal Health Commission has announced the lifting of the quarantine zone in the southern and central parts of the state. The restrictions were introduced after an infected bull was discovered in Jim Hogg County on June 26, and the zone also affected Zapata and Starr counties. The implemented protection protocols and monitoring made it possible to meet the criteria for lifting the restrictions, and the measures taken in June achieved their goal.

Simultaneously, the import of cattle resumed through the border crossing in Santa Teresa (New Mexico), which had been suspended in May 2025 due to the rapid spread of a new species of blowfly in Mexico. Livestock clearance resumed on Thursday, September 24, after a break of more than 16 months. Mexican livestock farmers from the Unión Ganadera Regional de Chihuahua union planned to export over 400 head of livestock on the first day, with the first batch including 101 steers. The import was made possible thanks to thorough inspections by the USDA and the Mexican agency SENASICA.

Scientific research on pest control continues. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) and the University of Notre Dame are allocating $140,389 to study nitisinone, a drug already approved for humans. The ROAR grant will help assess the suitability of this medication as a veterinary agent against the parasite's larvae. Previous studies have shown that nitisinone blocks an enzyme required by blood-sucking insects to digest blood.

Since June, 50 cases of infection have been recorded in the US: 48 in Texas and 2 in New Mexico. By comparison, prior to 1962, about a million cases were recorded annually in Texas. Despite the improving situation, scientists emphasize that until the complete eradication of the pest, it is necessary to continue the release of sterile flies, monitoring, and prompt response.

According to expert estimates, the resumption of the border crossing's operation will not lead to an immediate decrease in beef prices. Raising imported Mexican livestock to slaughter-ready condition takes from five to eight months, and overall supplies to the US remain limited against the backdrop of the consequences of the drought of the past seven years. Jeff Stolle, Vice President of Marketing for Nebraska Cattlemen, confirmed that no changes in beef supplies from cross-border livestock are expected in the near future.