ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US — US grain associations called for the immediate reopening of international rail crossings at Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, US, to allow for the passage of trains between the United States and Mexico.

US Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) Office of Field Operations temporarily suspended operations at the crossings the morning of Dec. 18 to redirect personnel to help with taking migrants into custody. CBP said it is using all available resources to safely process migrants in response to increased levels at the southwest border.

“The closure of these two crossings is impacting the flow of grain and oilseeds for both human and livestock feed to one of the United States’ most important export markets and trading partners,” said the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) and the North America Export Grain Association (NAEGA). “According to USDA data rail represents 64% of grain and oilseed exports to Mexico.

“NGFA and NAEGA have become aware this afternoon of critical tightness in feeding supplies for several livestock feeders in Mexico. We have also learned of grain trains in multiple states being held for shipment due to CBP’s embargo. The critical nature of this issue is growing by the hour, particularly for those livestock feeders that may run short of feed.”