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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Federal and state leaders say new investments in surveillance, sterile fly production and research will strengthen efforts to stop the livestock pest.
Task force member Warren Cude says sterile fly releases and early reporting remain key to slowing New World screwworm.
NCBA’s Ethan Lane says producers and animal health officials now have more tools available to combat New World screwworm.
Strong cattle prices continue as USDA monitors the impact of New World screwworm along the southern border.
