APHIS Modifies Border Inspections Due to Violence

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recently modified the cattle-inspection protocol with Mexico to allow APHIS veterinary inspection of imported cattle to occur on U.S. soil rather than in Mexico.

This shift in protocol is due to U.S. State Department concerns for the safety of American employees working in Mexico because drug cartel-related violence has escalated around the McAllen and Laredo border crossings. The Mexican government and beef producer representatives are worried that safety concerns may interrupt trade relations between Mexico and the United States and are working to develop solutions with the United States.

APHIS, in collaboration with the Texas Animal Health Commission and the beef cattle industry, is allowing APHIS veterinarians to inspect Mexican cattle in the current temporary pens at San Juan Plantation vat (Hidalgo County) and the City vat (Webb County).

This is phase one of a three-phase plan outlined by APHIS to address the safety concerns of workers while maintaining trade with Mexico and safeguarding U.S. cattle from disease.

Reprinted in part from texascattleraisers.org