Santa Teresa Port of Entry to Reopen for Cattle Imports on September 24th
The Santa Teresa Port of Entry, a key U.S.-Mexico border crossing for livestock, is scheduled to reopen for cattle imports on September 24th, following a closure due to a New World screwworm outbreak. Mexican cattle ranchers, primarily from Chihuahua, are…
El Paso, TX, September 24, 2026 — The Santa Teresa Port of Entry, a critical U.S.-Mexico border crossing for livestock, is set to resume operations for cattle imports on September 24th. The port has been closed due to an outbreak of the New World screwworm, an infestation that affects livestock.
Mexican cattle ranchers, predominantly from the state of Chihuahua, are actively preparing for the reopening. These preparations include the implementation of stricter entry protocols designed to prevent the reintroduction of the screwworm into the U.S. supply.
Key measures being put in place involve mandatory pre-inspection and treatment of all animals intended for import. These steps are part of a broader effort to manage and contain the screwworm infestation, which sources indicate is showing signs of slowing down.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals, and its larvae feed on the living flesh of the host. The outbreak led to the temporary closure of the Santa Teresa Port of Entry, a significant route for cattle trade between the two countries. The reopening date of September 24th signifies a return to regulated cross-border livestock movement, contingent on the successful mitigation of the pest.
Details regarding the specific number of ranchers affected or the total volume of cattle expected to cross were not provided in the summary. The contractor’s name or any specific government agencies leading the response efforts were also not specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Priscilla Totiyapungprasert on elpasomatters.org, see more information here.
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