Import Alert: Import restrictions for comingled cattle and cattle originating from or transiting regions of Mexico now classified as non-accredited (NA) status for bovine tuberculosis (TB)

Issuance Date: February 18, 2021

Effective date: February 15, 2021                    

As previously announced and effective February 15, 2021, Veterinary Services (VS) reclassified the Baja California Modified accredited (MA) zone, Chiapas Accreditation Preparatory (AP) Zone, Guanajuato AP Zone, Guerrero AP Zone, Mexico AP Zone, Michoacán AP Zone, Nayarit MA zone, San Luis Potosí AP Zone (A3), Tabasco AP Zone, and the Zacatecas-Jalisco AP Zone to non-accredited (NA) status. The entire State of Baja California, Chiapas, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Mexico, Michoacán, Nayarit, Tabasco, Zacatecas, and Jalisco are now NA status for bovine tuberculosis (TB). In the State of San Luis Potosi, Zone A3 has been reclassified to NA status but Zone A1 retains AP classification. 

VS will allow cattle originating from or transiting through the above reclassified regions to move into the United States through April 16, 2021.  This restriction also applies to cattle being held at Export Gathering Centers and comingled with animals originating from or transiting through ineligible regions prior to export.  As of April 17, 2021, cattle originating from or transiting through the reclassified NA regions, including cattle that have been comingled at Export Gathering Centers, can only be imported into the United States for purposes of immediate slaughter and consigned to specific pre-approved facilities.

This information will be summarized in the revised VS Bulletin titled: Bovine Tuberculosis Testing Requirements for Cattle Imported to the United States from Mexico, available on the USDA APHIS Live Animal Import web site.

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