By Tom Polansek
CHICAGO, Oct 20 (Reuters) – The US Department of Agriculture plans to resume cattle imports from Mexico at two additional US ports of entry, after halting shipments last year in an attempt to keep out the flesh-eating parasite New World screwworm, the agency said on Tuesday.
• The USDA plans to restart imports in Columbus, New Mexico, on October 26 and, if conditions for safe trade are in place, in Nogales, Arizona, on November 30, according to a post on X.
• The block on imports of Mexican cattle helped push US ground beef prices to record highs this year, contributing to rising concerns about food affordability ahead of midterm elections in November.
• USDA resumed livestock trade in Douglas, Arizona, in August and at a large port in Santa Teresa, New Mexico, in September.
• Horse imports are expected to resume in Santa Teresa on October 26, the USDA said on X.
• The agency said it has confirmed 56 US screwworm cases since June, and 5 are active.
(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Sonali Paul)
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