To help combat the growing threat of the New World Screwworm, lawmakers in border states introduced the STOP Screwworm Act.
The bill aims to fund a new sterile fly production facility in the U.S. to tackle the growing threat of the flesh-eating maggot. With support from the NCBA and other cattle groups, the bill would use sterile insect techniques to stop the pest from spreading into the United States, the same technique used in the 1960s to eliminate NWS from the states.
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Cattle movement is expected to increase gradually as additional crossing locations reopen.
Horse exports through the Del Rio facility may resume while New World screwworm safeguards remain in place.
U.S. cattle supplies remain historically tight as concerns over beef affordability continue.
USDA is releasing about 100 million sterile flies per week in Texas and Mexico.
