One hundred and seventy-five ag groups are urging the government to quickly build a sterile fly facility.
Farm Bureaus and cattle groups are standing behind the push.
The groups thanked USDA for partnering with Panama to set up a facility as part of its five-step readiness plan. They acknowledged the department’s plan to build a facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas. However, they say much work needs to be done.
They penned a letter urging the Senate to quickly secure funding for the facility.
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The New World Screwworm case was detected roughly 119 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border — at nearly the same latitude as Zapata, Texas.
The spending bill keeps animal health and traceability funding in place while trimming several other USDA accounts.
The Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed a New World Screwworm case about 119 miles from the Texas border, near Zapata, Texas, and north and west of the Rio Grande Valley.
Florida’s import rule shows New World screwworm concerns are already affecting livestock movement and market conditions.
South Texas producers remain on alert as screwworm concerns grow; sterile fly efforts underway to prevent spread.
Strong demand for U.S. beef in Mexico is boosting exports, with buyers seeking both variety meats and high-quality cuts like Prime and Choice ribeye.