MEXICO CITY (AP) — Both Mexico and the United States announced plans to gradually reopen the U.S. border to cattle imports from Mexico starting in July. This decision follows the suspension initiated by U.S. agriculture officials back in May due to concerns about the northward spread of the screwworm, as reported by agricultural authorities from both nations on Monday.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins mentioned via X that significant progress had been achieved. She highlighted that over 100 million sterile flies were being released weekly and there had been no northward spread for eight weeks.

The U.S. had initially restricted imports of Mexican cattle in late November after discovering the pest, but the ban was lifted in February once protocols were established to assess the cattle before entry into the U.S. However, due to an “unacceptable northward advancement” of the screwworm, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in a statement that it suspended imports once more in May.

Mexico Agriculture and Rural Development Secretary Julio Berdegué said he participated in a virtual meeting with Rollins Monday and that the border opening would begin July 7.

Rollins and Berdegué applauded the close cooperation between both governments.

The screwworm is a larva of the Cochliomyia hominivorax fly that can invade the tissues of any warm-blooded animal, including humans. The parasite enters the skin, causing serious and life-threatening damage and lesions.