On Thursday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to better equip the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to prevent the potential spread of the New World screwworm into Texas and to better protect livestock and wildlife.
“Although the New World screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” Abbott said. “State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife.”
With the declaration, Abbott said the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team will be able to fully deploy state prevention and response resources.
“With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite,” Abbott said. “Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”
The declaration comes as reports indicate continued screwworm activity in parts of Mexico, heightening concerns among U.S. animal health officials and livestock producers. While the pest has not been detected in Texas or elsewhere in the United States, state leaders say early action is critical to prevent an incursion.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller welcomed the move, calling it a necessary step given the seriousness of the threat.
“I’m glad to see the urgency from the Governor’s office matching the seriousness of this threat,” Miller said. “The Governor’s disaster declaration gives his task force greater authority, resources, and speed needed to confront the growing threat posed by the New World screwworm.”
“This is a serious risk to our livestock industry and one that the Texas Department of Agriculture has been preparing for through our own heightened surveillance, coordination, and response planning,” he added.
Miller emphasized the need for aggressive, coordinated action as the pest continues to move northward.
“The New World screwworm is inching closer to Texas each and every day, and we must be proactive in responding to this threat,” Miller said. “This fight requires every available resource to be thrown at it without delay, and TDA will continue to work alongside our state and federal partners to protect our livestock, pets, wildlife, and Texas communities.”
The Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association also voiced support for the governor’s action. President Carl Ray Polk Jr. said the declaration strengthens the state’s ability to respond quickly if needed.
“[Our organization] applauds Gov. Abbott and his team as they ensure Texas is prepared to respond to a potential incursion of New World screwworm,” Polk said.
“Today’s announcement positions our state to respond appropriately, allowing the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to utilize all available state government resources necessary to combat the pest,” he said.
Polk added that protecting the beef supply remains a top priority for cattle producers.
“Gov. Abbott understands the importance of protecting the U.S. beef supply and it’s clear he is committed to pushing New World screwworm back to the Darién Gap, a milestone Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association continues to prioritize,” Polk said. “We are thankful for his leadership and for standing with Texas livestock producers and landowners.”
State officials stressed that there has been no detection of New World screwworm in Texas or the United States to date. Information on the joint state and federal response effort is available at www.screwworm.gov.
