LUBBOCK, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Florida has placed new import restrictions on warm-blooded animals coming from six South Texas counties because of the growing New World screwworm threat near the U.S.-Mexico border. The move adds another layer of pressure as livestock producers already deal with tighter cattle movement and broader biosecurity concerns.
The emergency rule applies to animals originating from Brooks, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, and Zapata counties. Florida said the counties fall within 125 miles of recent New World screwworm detections in Mexico, triggering extra import requirements.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Florida’s action is understandable and reflects how serious the threat has become. He said the extended halt in cattle movement from Mexico is already straining supply chains, cutting into Texas meatpacking capacity, and pushing prices higher for consumers.
Florida officials said New World screwworm can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, and in rare cases people, usually through open wounds. If untreated, the larvae can cause severe damage and may be fatal.
Miller said USDA’s sterile-fly work is important, but more suppression tools will be needed in the near term. For now, producers in South Texas face another reminder that the screwworm threat is no longer just a border issue.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Florida’s import rule shows New World screwworm concerns are already affecting livestock movement and market conditions.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
Producers across the country balanced winter weather disruptions, shifting export demand, and tightening margins as year-end decisions come into focus.
December 22, 2025 03:50 PM
·
Reviewing risk management now can help dairy and livestock producers enter 2026 with clearer margins and fewer surprises.
December 22, 2025 03:19 PM
·
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
December 22, 2025 02:45 PM
·
Small, locally focused wineries are finding resilience through direct sales and regional loyalty rather than scale alone.
December 22, 2025 02:05 PM
·
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
December 22, 2025 01:31 PM
·
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
December 22, 2025 01:23 PM
·
