USDA Reopens Livestock Ports, Rolls Back Environmental Regs for Faster Projects

The biggest headline from the USDA this week is the announcement from Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins that several southern ports along the U.S.-Mexico border will begin a phased reopening for livestock trade starting July 7. This comes after nearly two months of closure due to concerns about the New World Screwworm. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, in partnership with Mexican authorities, ramped up surveillance and eradication efforts, including dispersing over 100 million sterile flies each week to stop the pest’s spread. Thanks to these collaborative efforts and no new cases detected moving north in the last eight weeks, ports like Douglas, Arizona, will welcome livestock imports once again, with more openings to follow in New Mexico throughout July.

For ranchers, farmers, and the broader livestock sector, this reopening is not just an economic relief—it’s a validation of how international cooperation and science-based safeguards keep risks at bay. State and local governments in the Southwest stand to benefit from the resumption of commerce, while American consumers may see improved supply stability. According to Secretary Rollins, “This decision reflects the success of science-driven, risk-based safeguards and a strong partnership with our neighbors in Mexico.”

In policy news, Secretary Rollins also announced a major move to roll back cumbersome environmental regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act, cutting departmental NEPA rules by 66 percent. The goal, she says, is to speed up critical infrastructure and energy projects and cut red tape that has cost jobs and raised prices. “We have been hamstrung by overly burdensome regulations for decades,” Rollins said, emphasizing that these changes will modernize NEPA while still honoring the Department’s legacy of land stewardship. For businesses and local governments, this means faster decisions and potentially lower costs when working with USDA on projects from rural broadband to forest management.

In other developments, the USDA’s July 2025 lending rates are now published, including direct farm operating loans at 5 percent and ownership loans at 5.875 percent. The availability of these loans is vital for America’s family farmers and ranchers, especially as they navigate a mixed crop outlook. The USDA’s recent acreage report showed corn plantings at just over 95 million acres—the largest since 2013—which signals optimism for a strong harvest, barring weather issues. However, some experts warn that soybean acres could fall short due to planting delays, meaning any drought or storm could still shake markets.

For parents and educators, it’s worth noting that updates to school meal nutrition standards will phase in gradually between fall 2025 and 2027, focusing on reducing added sugars and sodium. No menu changes are required for the upcoming school year, giving schools and food providers time to adapt and prepare.

Looking ahead, keep an eye on the official Federal Register for the interim final rule on NEPA reforms, and for those affected by livestock trade, follow USDA and APHIS updates on southern port timelines. Farmers and ranchers seeking financial support can find loan resources and step-by-step guides on farmers.gov.

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