Mexico agrees to import U.S. cattle

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced this week a major trade agreement has been reached between the U.S. and Mexico.

"After more than four years of banned beef cattle exports to Mexico, I am pleased to report the stalemate is over. The U.S. and Mexican governments have come to an agreement on exporting breeding beef cattle to Mexico consistent with the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health," Commissioner Staples said.

On March 4, Staples issued an order banning the movement of Canadian cattle through TDA export facilities along the Mexican border. This action came after Mexico signed an agreement with Canada that allowed for a more lucrative trade of Canadian cattle than what had been allowed with U.S. cattle producers. Officials in New Mexico, Arizona and California joined Staples in the effort.

"After communicating with my fellow state agriculture directors in Arizona, New Mexico and California about this monumental progress, we are joining together to lift our ban on Canadian cattle that are shipped through our states." Commissioner Staples said.

On March 7, Staples received word Mexico had submitted an offer to re-establish cattle trade with the U.S. And now, fewer than four weeks after the March 4 action, U.S., Canadian and Mexican negotiators have announced an agreement establishing consistent trade relationships for breeding cattle.

"This agreement restores a market worth more than $80 million to Texas cattlemen," Staples said.