---
title: "Mexico resumes cattle exports to US after screwworm halt"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/business/mexico-resumes-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-halt"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/mexico-resumes-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-halt"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/business/mexico-resumes-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-halt.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/mexico-resumes-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-halt"
category: "Business & Economy"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-08-25T01:25:16.595Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-24T23:11:03.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-25T01:25:16.595Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 20
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-25T01:15:56.992065+00:00"
---

# Mexico resumes cattle exports to US after screwworm halt

*Trade resumes under new protocols following a nearly two-year pause due to a pest outbreak.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Two full reports and 44 digests provide details, with claims attributed to named sources.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. The reporting is clear and holds together, with specific details provided.
- Hype 20 of 100, lower is better. The language used is measured and proportionate, with no sensationalism.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Mexico resumed live cattle exports to the US on August 24, 2026, after a nearly two-year pause.
- The halt was caused by a screwworm outbreak, a pest now present in 30 of Mexico's 32 states and also reported in Texas and New Mexico.
- New US protocols include RFID tags and scanners, with initial daily cattle crossing limits into Arizona.
- The Trump administration's previous controls are cited as a factor slowing US industry recovery and contributing to high beef prices.

Live cattle exports from Mexico to the United States resumed on August 24, 2026, following a suspension of nearly two years. The halt was implemented due to a screwworm outbreak, a parasitic pest that affects warm-blooded animals. The screwworm fly lays its larvae in open wounds, causing tissue to be devoured.

The pest, caused by the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, arrived in Mexico in November 2024 and is now present in 30 of the country's 32 states. Cases have also been reported in Texas and New Mexico in the US since June 2026. Mexico currently reports 1,937 active screwworm cases. The resumption of trade follows the US approval of a new export protocol.

The new protocol includes the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags in cattle ears and scanners to detect them. Initial cattle crossings into Arizona were limited to 700 head per day, with planned increases in the following weeks. Hundreds of cattle began crossing from Agua Prieta, Sonora, to Douglas, Arizona, after inspections by Mexican and US authorities.

## Disagreement on the cause of industry recovery delay

Washington Top News and Associated Press News report that the Trump administration's controls are cited as a factor slowing the recovery of the US cattle industry. They state these controls contributed to the lowest cattle counts in 75 years and a shortfall of about 1.2 million cows, leading to a surge in beef prices.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mention the specific number of active screwworm cases in Mexico, which was reported as 1,937 by the left and centre-rated outlets. The right-rated digests do not detail the planned increases in daily cattle crossing limits into Arizona.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 47 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 17% (8)
- Centre: 79% (37)
- Right: 4% (2)

0 of 47 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-25T01:15:56.992065+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 1 time; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-25T01:30:33.438Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated reports led with the resumption of live cattle exports from Mexico to the US after a nearly two-year pause. They noted the halt was due to restrictions imposed by the Trump administration following a screwworm outbreak. These reports detailed the process of cattle crossing from Agua Prieta, Sonora, to Douglas, Arizona, and mentioned the use of dogs for inspections. The presence of the screwworm pest in both countries was highlighted, along with the fact that Mexico has 1,937 active cases. The new US protocol, including RFID tags and scanners, was mentioned, as were the daily cattle crossing limits into Arizona. The Trump administration's controls were cited as a factor slowing US industry recovery, contributing to low cattle counts and high beef prices. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum's celebration of the reopening and her administration's precautions were also noted.

### Centre

- The centre-rated reports focused on the US resuming Mexican cattle imports after the screwworm outbreak. They stated that experts consider the renewed imports an animal health issue, not a food safety issue, and that they could impact soaring beef prices. The resumption of trade after a nearly two-year halt due to screwworm was mentioned, as were the new protocols including RFID tags and scanners, and daily cattle crossing limits into Arizona. The Trump administration's controls were cited as a factor slowing US industry recovery, contributing to low cattle counts and high beef prices.

### Right

- The right-rated reports stated that Mexico resumed live cattle exports to the United States after a nearly two-year pause caused by a screwworm outbreak and restrictions imposed by the Trump administration. One report noted that concerns persist over the spread of screwworm as the US border reopens to Mexican cattle, with Mexico bolstering its containment campaign in northern border states where recent cases have been detected. The resumption of cross-border trade under a phased US reopening was mentioned.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 2
- high: 25
- unknown: 1
- veryHigh: 19

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/08/24/mexico-us-screwworm-exports-resume) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/animals-pets/2026/08/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/business/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers/article_9c8d3184-bf69-5455-99df-2f48123952fd.html) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/cattle-exports-screwworm-mexico-us-1f9725333b36616ffc6aa8de00f1c8ff) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/24/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-us-screwworm-pause-relieving) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to U.S. after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/trump-claudia-sheinbaum-arizona-sonora-new-mexico-b3038546.html) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [KCRA 3](https://kcra.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WCVB](https://wcvb.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WLWT](https://wlwt.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WMUR](https://wmur.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WLKY](https://wlky.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [Koco News5](https://koco.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WESH](https://wesh.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WYFF](https://wyff4.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WDSU](https://wdsu.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WTAE](https://wtae.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KCCI](https://kcci.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WISN](https://wisn.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KETV](https://ketv.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KMBC](https://kmbc.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WPTZ](https://mynbc5.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WBAL-TV](https://wbaltv.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WMTW](https://wmtw.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WVTM](https://wvtm13.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KOAT](https://koat.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WAPT](https://wapt.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WPBF](https://wpbf.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WGAL](https://wgal.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WXII](https://wxii12.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KSBW](https://ksbw.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [WJCL](https://wjcl.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [KHBS](https://4029tv.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [MOR-TV](https://mor-tv.com/article/us-resumes-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-outbreak/73514140) — US resumes Mexican cattle imports after screwworm outbreak
- [Reuters](https://reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-boosts-sterile-fly-dispersal-us-reopens-cattle-trade-2026-08-24) — As US border reopens to Mexican cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread
- [Straight Arrow News](https://san.com/cc/arizona-cattle-port-reopens-days-after-screwworm-hits-neighboring-sonora) — Arizona cattle port reopens days after screwworm hits neighboring Sonora
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/bulletin/news/trump-beef-prices-cattle-screwworm-b3038464.html) — US border reopens to Mexican cattle despite screwworm concerns
- [The Hamilton Spectator](https://thespec.com/business/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers/article_e68533d0-907f-5a41-b8d0-14e5c3c1d84f.html) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/business/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers/article_b33f582d-92c2-53a3-94b9-53a8ad5a0003.html) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/world/as-us-border-reopens-to-mexican-cattle-concerns-persist-over-screwworm-spread) — As US border reopens to Mexican cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/24/as-us-border-reopens-to-mexican-cattle-concerns-persist-over-screwworm-spread) — As US border reopens to Mexican cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/business/2026/08/24/mexico-resumes-limited-cattle-exports-to-us-after-screwworm-pause-relieving-ranchers) — Mexico resumes limited cattle exports to US after screwworm pause, relieving ranchers
- [Devdiscourse](https://devdiscourse.com/article/international/3967146-as-us-border-reopens-to-mexican-cattle-concerns-persist-over-screwworm-spread) — As US border reopens to Mexican cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread
- [El Diario](https://diario.mx/nacional/2026/aug/24/reabren-frontera-a-exportacion-ganadera-por-sonora-1134790.html) — Reopen Border to Livestock Export by Sonora
- [SDPnoticias.com](https://sdpnoticias.com/mexico/estamos-contentos-ganaderos-de-sonora-celebran-regreso-de-exportaciones-a-estados-unidos) — “We’re Happy”: Sonora Farmers Celebrate Return of Exports to the United States · Global Voices
- [UPI](https://upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/24/latam-mexico-cattle-exports-resume-screwworm/3041787587000) — Mexico resumes live cattle exports to U.S. after yearlong halt
- [El Paso Times](https://elpasotimes.com/picture-gallery/news/2026/08/24/mexico-u-s-cattle-trade-reopens-after-screwworm-outbreak/91438110007) — Mexico cattle exports restart after screwworm disruption

## Questions

**When did Mexico resume cattle exports to the US?**

Mexico resumed live cattle exports to the United States on August 24, 2026. This followed a halt of nearly two years that was put in place due to a screwworm outbreak.

**What caused the halt in cattle exports?**

The exports were halted due to a screwworm outbreak. This pest, caused by the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly, infests open wounds and can be devastating to livestock. It has been reported in both Mexico and the US.

**What new protocols are in place for cattle exports?**

The US approved a new protocol that includes placing radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags in cattle ears and installing scanners to detect them. Daily cattle crossing limits into Arizona have also been implemented.

**How has the screwworm outbreak affected the US cattle industry?**

The Trump administration's controls are cited as a factor slowing the recovery of the US cattle industry. This has contributed to low cattle counts, with herds reportedly at their lowest in 75 years, and a shortfall of about 1.2 million cows, leading to a surge in beef prices.

---

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