It’s been a while since we have had discussions on the New World Screwworm, but it seems almost inevitable that producers will be facing this pest in the near future. Below is a relatively detailed breakdown of the geographic region, along with some repose and economic impact the past will have on Texas Agriculture alone.
Screwworm’s Northward Spread:
The New World screwworm, has been detected further north in Mexico, specifically in Veracruz, about 370 miles from the Texas border. They can travel up to 7 miles a day, but as we are in hurricane season here is a concern that a major weather event could push the fly more rapidly in our direction.
Economic Impact:
Texas, with its large cattle population, is particularly vulnerable. Outbreaks in the past have resulted in significant economic losses, and a current outbreak is estimated to cost over $2 billion, not including the impact on supply chains and exports. According to USDA estimates, an NWS outbreak in Texas cattle alone could result in $1.8 billion in annual losses, with national economic damages exceeding $10.6 billion. The threat spans livestock, wildlife, endangered species and the rural communities that depend on them.
USDA Response:
The USDA has implemented measures such as temporarily suspending livestock imports from Mexico and is working on expanding sterile fly production facilities to combat the pest, according to the Texas Farm Bureau. A $8.5 million sterile fly dispersal facility is planned for South Texas.
The Screwworm Coalition of Texas has been formed. This is a coalition of 13 Texas landowner, livestock, equine and wildlife groups launched a new website to deliver reliable information about the New World screwworm. The site compiles information from lead agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
This new online resource offers the public and media easy access to factual information. It also serves as a platform to dispel rumors and correct misinformation regarding the status, planning, preparedness, prevention and response to New World screwworm in Texas.
You can visit
screwwormtx.org for the latest updates, resources and educational materials on the New World screwworm.
Finally, a joint letter was sent to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed by Texas Farm Bureau and more than 175 other leading state and national livestock, dairy, wildlife, agribusiness and landowner organizations across the country expresses strong support for USDA’s leadership and calls for immediate federal action to strengthen the nation’s defenses against the growing threat of the New World screwworm.
The coalition commends Rollins and the USDA team for their proactive efforts, including the recent announcement of a five-pronged NWS Domestic Readiness and Response Initiative and the establishment of a sterile fly dispersal facility in partnership with the Panama-U.S. Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm.
The letter urges the Trump administration to fully fund and begin construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility, an essential component of the proven Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) strategy. Without it, the coalition said, the U.S. remains vulnerable to a potential outbreak that could devastate agriculture and wildlife.
Luckily, Congressman Tony Gonzales is in full force in leading the fight against the NWS, and at the State level our local representatives Don McLaughlin and Eddie Morales both signed a letter urging Governor Abbott to put the NWS issue on the agenda during special session. According to Agriculture Chairman Ryan Guillen of Starr County, he is hopeful that Texas could facility building the facility in a more urgent manner, then have the feds reimburse the State at a later date.
The moral of the story, is to tell the story. We need a sense of urgency to battle this pest before it crosses the border!
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