Gov. Abbott & Sec. Rollins on New World Screwworm Threat to US Agriculture

Threat of the New World Screwworm

• 🚨 The New World Screwworm poses a significant threat to the cattle industry, food supply, and livestock sectors across Texas and the entire United States.
• 💰 Losses in Texas alone could reach billions of dollars annually, leading to a dramatic increase in grocery prices.
• 🌍 This parasite typically originates in South America and moves through Central America and Mexico before reaching the US, with current infestations nearing the Texas border.

Federal and State Response Efforts

• 🤝 Governor Greg Abbott announced the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to address the issue at the state level.
• 🇺🇸 Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins highlighted the Trump administration's commitment to protecting American farmers, ranchers, and consumers.
• ✈️ Actions taken include suspending live cattle, horse, and bison imports along the southern border and launching a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas.

New Sweeping Actions to Combat the Pest

• 🏗️ USDA will invest up to $750 million to build a domestic sterile fly production facility in Edinburg, Texas, aiming to produce 300 million sterile flies per week.
• 💡 An additional $100 million will be invested in identifying and deploying cutting-edge technologies to accelerate the response.
• 🐎 USDA is ramping up hiring of mounted patrol officers (tick riders) and training beagles for surveillance along the US-Mexico border.

International Cooperation and Future Outlook

• 🤝 The US is working closely with Mexico to boost surveillance, training, and oversight, with Mexico agreeing to halt animal movement in affected zones.
• 🔬 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is identifying and fast-tracking animal drugs that could be effective against the screwworm.
• ⏳ The new domestic sterile fly production facility is expected to be operational within a year, with the goal of eradicating the parasite for the long term.
• 🐂 The administration aims to build out the American beef industry, reducing reliance on other countries and ensuring food security.