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TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – The Douglas Port of Entry opened Monday for the first time in more than a year, resuming the transport of cattle from Mexico into the United States in Douglas, Arizona.
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The port had been closed after the detection of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of animals such as cattle. The screwworm was detected in parts of Mexico near the border and has since spread to parts of Texas.
Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins of the United States Department of Agriculture said the ports are important for rural communities.
ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
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“These ports are a lifeline for a lot of these rural communities,” Hoskins said.
Hoskins said reopening the port will help infrastructure, trucking, feedlots, and processing capacity.
The port is more than a century old and is used in the country’s agriculture industry. It was closed last year along with other border ports.
Hoskins said the USDA has a multi-part protocol to repeatedly check imported cattle for screwworm starting 30 days before the cattle enter the United States.
The checks are done by Mexican and USDA-certified veterinarians. If screwworm is found, the entire lot is turned away.
“We have the highest degree of confidence that animals coming through this port legally, compliant with the protocols, have almost zero risk,” Hoskins said.
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Douglas rancher Frank Ambriz said the checks mean more work for ranchers.
“I go to the ranch at least 24 hours. I’m trying to put another hour into the day so it can be 25. Because you have to look at the animals,” Ambriz said.
Ambriz said reopening the port is still important.
“It’s good because it’s gonna help. Some people say it’s going to reduce the prices of beef,” Ambriz said.
Hoskins said cattle transfer may look different for a period of time. He said a few hundred cattle may be transported daily rather than the previous 1,200 to 1,500, and the first cattle may weigh 1,200 pounds rather than the usual 600 pounds due to the port’s closure.
“To us it’s not about the number itself, it’s about how the protocol is working and that will inform how many head we can process every day,” Hoskins said.
The USDA said if screwworm cases arise in Arizona, or if the fly gets closer to the border, officials will re-evaluate whether the port should stay open or if changes are needed.
If operations continue without issues, more ports along the U.S.-Mexico border, mainly in New Mexico, are expected to open next. There is no timeframe yet for when that would happen.
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