Texas Dept of Agriculture Livestock Export Facilities

BY RICHARD DE LOS SANTOS

Here at the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), one of our most important missions is to protect and promote production agriculture at home. Since taking office, I’ve made it a top priority to ensure livestock being exported from Texas meets all state and federal guidelines. TDA’s export facilities serve as passageways for exporting livestock. From cattle and horses to pigs and poultry, these facilities are tools to help transport Texas livestock worldwide.

Texas is a vital gateway to trade expansion. I want everyone around the world to know that livestock raised in our great state remain top notch and so are the farmers and ranchers who produce them. That’s why TDA has five export facilities located across the state and is committed to not only protecting the transported livestock but also the owners, buyers, and brokers.

Four of our facilities are located along the Texas border with Mexico and provide the perfect location for animals to be held until inspection and export requirements are met. These facilities provide buyers and sellers the opportunity to transport livestock by ground and sea. Our fifth facility is in Houston, near Bush Intercontinental Airport, and is the only location that provides shipment by air. We’ve recently completed a new facility at the airport, and it is one of the most modern in the world, making it an ideal place to get Texas livestock anywhere around the globe.

Some of these export facilities were built in the 70’s and were in desperate need of renovation. I made it a priority for my folks at TDA to make the Del Rio Export Facility a modern export site and today it’s an up and running state-of-the-art facility. Completed in September of 2020, this location is approved to export cattle, horses, and sheep. Del Rio is also the only certified facility to ship exotic livestock. It features six livestock pens, 14 horse stalls with shade and water available for animals and offers a large parking area providing accessible truck and trailer movement.

Use of the livestock export facilities are available to producers, brokers, and exporters. It’s important to use the appropriate livestock exporting facility, as not all facilities export the same animals. TDA facility staff can help you successfully navigate this process.

TDA is committed to exporting excellence and adheres to all biosecurity protocols and works closely with the Mexico Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) with their on-site office.

So, next time you pass through Brownsville, El Paso, Del Rio, Houston, or Laredo, remember the impact these livestock export facilities have on Texas agriculture and the economy.

For more information on transporting livestock to Mexico, or any other location, buyers responsibilities, animal removal, export fees, and genetics exports, please visit our website www.TexasAgriculture.gov/LivestockExportPens.