More money could be on the way to help get a handle on the New World Screwworm.
House lawmakers have filed an amendment to next year’s budget for USDA. The move would supply millions in preventive dollars.
It would increase preparedness spending to $10 million, up from $5.5 million in the original proposal. APHIS says the last time their response plan for screwworms was updated was in 2018, and they are calling for it to be updated given the current situation with Mexican cattle imports.
Related Stories
USDA officials are increasing surveillance and sterile fly dispersal efforts as New World screwworm cases continue growing in Mexico near the Texas border.
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.
