USDA To Open 3rd Cattle Inspection Site on Border

LAREDO, TexasIn a continuing effort to protect the livestock trade between the United States and Mexico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to open a third temporary cattle inspection facility in Eagle Pass, Texas, by the end of October. The facility will be the  third temporary inspection site opened on the U.S. border since suspending cattle station operations in Mexico earlier this year.

The two other sites inside the United States opened in May in Pharr-Hidalgo and Laredo, Texas.

"The cattle trade provides an important source of revenue for American producers and buyers and we are committed to maintaining the important trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico," Agriculture Undersecretary Edward Avalos said. "The new inspection location announced today is part our ongoing effort to aggressively pursue opportunities to keep trade lines open in spite of the recent security challenges."

Since March 2010, USDA has suspended activities at three different livestock inspection stations in Northern Mexico due to security concerns related to drug cartel violence. USDA took the action to protect the safety of veterinary personnel who traveled into Mexico to inspect and clear shipments of cattle destined for the United States.