Chihuahua moves forward in reviving livestock exports to the US
The Chihuahua Secretariat of Rural Development has held meetings with national and international authorities to move forward in reopening the border with the United States for livestock exports. The activity has been restricted since 2020 following the detection of cases linked to the cattle screwworm (GBW).
During discussions with Mexico’s National Service of Health, Safety, and Agrifood Quality (Senasica), current livestock health protocols were reviewed. Authorities noted that updating these procedures is necessary to meet the standards required by the U.S. market.
One of the agreements reached was to coordinate with other exporting states to strengthen surveillance against GBW. As part of these measures, Chihuahua has requested the accreditation of veterinarians with specialized training in detecting and managing the pest, which directly affects cattle.
The state government also presented progress on its health surveillance program during a meeting with Cristóbal Zepeda, the U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) representative in Mexico. APHIS is responsible for ensuring that agricultural products entering the U.S. meet health standards.
The surveillance program includes field inspections, livestock monitoring, and periodic reports on potential infestation cases. Officials explained that these actions aim to provide certainty regarding the state’s sanitary status and demonstrate that conditions are in place to resume exports.
Official records show that Chihuahua is one of Mexico’s leading livestock exporters. Producers and authorities consider the reopening of the border a strategic priority, as it represents one of the main sources of income for the state’s livestock sector.
State officials emphasized that reinforcing health protocols is part of a joint effort with the federal government and U.S. agencies. The objective is to guarantee herd health and comply with international requirements to restore cross-border trade.
