WASHINGTON (July 24, 2026) – Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) released a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement that they will be reopening the port of entry at Douglas, Ariz. to shipments of cattle in 30 days. This is the first part of a phased reopening that will include ports of ‌entry in Columbus and Santa Teresa, N.M. in the second phase, after further biosecurity assessments.

“Secretary Rollins and her team at USDA have been fighting the spread of New World screwworm with an aggressive five-point plan and comprehensive response playbook. Their work – along with the diligence of cattle producers in border states – bought the United States valuable time to improve our domestic readiness. The whole-of-government response has put us in a strong position to begin safely and gradually reopening our southern border to cattle shipments,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “This decision will help normalize business for cattle operations throughout the border states and Southern Plains. We appreciate the continued work of USDA to support American producers and the U.S. cattle industry.”