Santa Teresa, NM (KKOB) – The largest cattle crossing between the United States and Mexico located in Santa Teresa in southern Doña Ana County is one step closer to re-opening after being closed for several months due to the New World screwworm outbreak and the suspension of cattle crossing from Mexico to the U.S.
The USDA announced that they will begin opening live stock ports across the border starting with the port at Douglas, Arizona on August 24. The opening of the cattle crossings is to receive mexican cattle as an effort to lower beef prices at the grocery store. Santa Teresa is considered one of the most modern livestock processing facilities on the U.S.-Mexico border.
Daniel Manzanares, director of the Santa Teresa International Import and Export Livestock Facility, said that under the plan, after opening the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry USDA it will start taking steps towards reopening the Columbus port and if conditions remain favorable re-opening Santa Teresa.
Courtesy Daniel Manzanares
Santa Teresa International Import and Export Livestock Facility
For many years, Sonora and Chihuahua have maintained a strong animal health infrastructure program, built on the backs of successful animal disease control measures. While the rest of Mexico has not been able to stop the spread of the screwworm or stop legal and illegal movement, Sonora and Chihuahua do have a track record of success in these spaces, giving USDA confidence that they can do the job.
Manzanares said reopening Santa Teresa would restore one of the nation’s most important cattle trade routes.
