Officials Praise USDA’s New Plan to Thwart New World Screwworm

The USDA and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have announced a five-pronged plan to detect, control, and eliminate New World Screwworm threats. The strategy looks to control animal movement, create strong surveillance systems, and utilize proven sterilization techniques.

Government officials and cattle industry representatives praise the plan, which includes the launch of a $8.5 million sterile fly dispersal facility on Moore Air Base in south Texas. 

Government Officials 

Governor Greg Abbott

“Texas is on the front lines of the threat posed by the New World Screwworm. Proactive measures like this dispersal facility are a critical step to ensure our state and nation are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to this challenge. We are grateful for the Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins’ continued support of Texas in safeguarding the economic vitality of our farming and ranching communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to eliminate this threat,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. 

Representative Monica De La Cruz

“If we do not take action now, the New World Screwworm will devastate Texas livestock and wildlife. Thank you, Secretary Rollins, for swiftly accepting my proposal to establish this critical facility in Hidalgo County. I am committed to working alongside the Administration to put Texas farmers and ranchers first and safeguard our agriculture industry,” said Rep. Monica De La Cruz, who serves Texas’s 15th district. 

Representative Tony Gonzales

“Today’s policy changes represent a huge step forward to eradicating the screwworm and protecting American livestock— especially the opening of a U.S.-based eradication facility in South Texas. This facility has been one of my top priorities in Congress. From introducing the STOP Screwworms Act to leading funding efforts through my seat on the House Appropriations Committee, I am determined to do everything possible to eliminate this deadly parasite,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales, who serves Texas’s 23rd district. 

Representative Vicente Gonzalez

“The return of the New World Screwworm is a glaring potential threat to South Texas ranchers, wildlife, and communities as a whole. If it reaches our country, this pest could wreak havoc on our economy and food supply chain. It must be eradicated. I look forward to working with USDA and other partners on innovative solutions right here at Moore Air Base to ensure the safety of our agricultural industry and South Texans’ wellbeing,” said Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, who serves Texas’s 34th district. 

Representative Ronny Jackson

“The New World screwworm poses a serious threat to our cattle, economy, and food supply, but with Secretary Rollins’ leadership and USDA’s new 5-Prong Strategy, we’re taking aggressive action to stop it and protect America’s farmers and ranchers. As the Representative for the largest cattle-feeding district, I am committed to working closely with the Secretary to ensure we have every necessary tool to safeguard our livestock producers and feeders and their way of life,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson, who serves Texas’s 13th district.

Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller

“I’m proud to partner with decisive leaders such as USDA Secretary Rollins and our Texas congressional delegation in combating the New World Screwworm. This is a significant threat, and it’s critical we stay ahead of it. Texas has historically been at the forefront of American agriculture, and we are prepared to assist Secretary Rollins and the USDA in protecting our livestock, economy, and food supply. I look forward to implementing a robust, effective plan to protect Texas agriculture from this dangerous pest,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller.

Senator John Cornyn

“Curbing the spread of the destructive New World screwworm is critical to protecting the Texas agriculture and livestock industry, and this new sterile fly distribution facility in Edinburg is a significant step in the right direction. I will continue to work alongside Secretary Rollins and my colleagues in Congress to halt the spread of New World screwworm and increase our sterile fly production capacity through my STOP Screwworms Act.” said Texas Sen. John Cornyn.

Industry Representatives

Buck Wehrbein, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) “has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.”

“The only way to protect the American cattle herd from the devastating threat of New World screwworm is by having a sufficient supply of sterile flies to push this pest away from our border. To accomplish that, we need a sterile fly production facility of our own in the United States. Moore Air Base was previously part of our nation’s screwworm eradication effort in the 1960s and now this base will be the cornerstone of our renewed fight against this parasite.”

Russell Boening, Texas Farm Bureau president

Texas Farm Bureau is a grassroots organization representing more than 500,000 members of Texas’s agriculture industry. 

“Texas Farm Bureau applauds U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for advancing the construction of a sterile insect production and distribution facility at Moore Air Base. This investment is a critical step in protecting Texas livestock, wildlife and our food supply from the devastating threat of the New World screwworm (NWS). As the screwworm threat has moved north from Panama into Mexico, Texas Farm Bureau made the establishment of a domestic sterile insect facility one of our highest priorities. A robust, science-based defense, anchored by a U.S.-based facility, is essential to combatting this destructive pest. We’re grateful to the Congressional leaders who have championed this effort and to USDA for its commitment to proactive, long-term solutions. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure our producers, rural communities and consumers are protected from this threat,” said Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening. 

Laphe LaRoe, Texas Cattle Feeders Association chairman-elect

The Texas Cattle Feeders Association represents the cattle feeding industry in the three-state region of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.

“We commend Secretary Rollins for prioritizing efforts to combat New World Screwworm by establishing sterile fly dispersal and production facilities in South Texas which will significantly enhance our capabilities to contain the screwworm in Southern Mexico. These additional resources, combined with robust implementation of surveillance, sampling, reporting and enhanced treatment protocols provide a strong foundation for the U.S. to continue fighting the screwworm fly where it is today and ensure continued confidence in cattle and beef trade between the U.S. and Mexico.”

Stephen Diebel, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association first vice president

Formed in 1877, the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association represents more than 28,000 beef cattle producers, ranching families, and businesses in Texas, Oklahoma, and the greater southwest. 

“Today’s announcement is pivotal in protecting the U.S. cattle industry. Sterile flies are the only known way to stop the reproduction and continued expansion of New World screwworm, and it’s assuring to see Secretary Rollins follow through her early commitments to increasing production of sterile flies domestically,” said Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association First Vice President Stephen Diebel.

Editor’s note: Some of the previous statements have been edited and/or condensed by Successful Farming for style and clarity.