Earlier this week, U.S. Department of Agriculture officials viewed the re-entry of live cattle imports through an Arizona port of entry. Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins shares more.
“Douglas, Arizona, at the livestock port of entry, everything we’re doing, everything we’ve been doing, everything we’re going to implement here at this port in Douglas is prioritizing animal health for U.S. producers. And we stand behind the protocol, the system,” commented Hoskins.
In addition to the port reopening, a sign of a proposed New World screwworm sterile fly dispersal facility, which the undersecretary toured as well.
“We’re going back again this afternoon to do some additional visits and inspections, so looking forward to taking the next step in that project very soon,” Hoskins added.
This move reflects extensive collaboration between U.S. and Mexico animal health officials following efforts to address New World screwworm concerns. The move restores an important livestock trade channel while maintaining animal health safeguards designed to protect the U.S. cattle industry.
Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet.