With more nations now banned from sending cattle to the U.S., ag officials say changes are on the way.
During a lengthy hearing last week before the House Ag Committee, Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the Screwworm is a top priority for the Department. She testified that the last time it hit U.S. herds, it took three decades for the industry to recover, a move she says our nation’s cattle producers cannot afford.
USDA’s APHIS has added El Salvador and Belize to the list of regions affected by New World Screwworm after confirmed outbreaks in both countries. As a result, imports of horses, ruminants, swine, and dogs from these countries into the U.S. are restricted unless the animals are inspected and treated for Screwworm. Secretary Rollins says USDA will be taking more steps in the coming weeks, aimed at a more aggressive approach.
The USDA opened a new sterile fly-dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in South Texas to prevent a potential outbreak of New World screwworm and protect the small U.S. cattle herd.
February 12, 2026 10:47 AM
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The agreement formalizes coordination between the two departments to address security concerns affecting U.S. agriculture.
February 11, 2026 11:05 AM
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RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey was in Mission, Texas, where state and federal officials addressed growers and producers at a round table event hosted at a citrus grower’s facility. He shows us how welcome news was all around.
February 10, 2026 12:05 PM
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Top issues facing the beef industry took center stage at CattleCon this year in Nashville.
February 06, 2026 04:58 PM
Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX), who sits on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, spoke exclusively with RFD NEWS about what Congress is doing to address screwworm concerns, including funding for a sterile fly production facility in Mexico.
February 06, 2026 12:07 PM
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HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
February 06, 2026 11:48 AM
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