Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says she will make what she calls the “biggest announcement to date” in the fight against New World Screwworm this week in Texas.
The flesh-eating pest has been advancing North from Central America, prompting repeated closures of U.S. livestock imports from Mexico. Texas recently revived the use of swormlure bait, a 1970s-era control method.
The USDA shut down the border again last month after detecting the pest’s spread, just days after partially opening it. Rollins says the U.S. is working more closely than ever with Mexico on eradication efforts.
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The New World Screwworm case was detected roughly 119 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border — at nearly the same latitude as Zapata, Texas.
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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.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins plans a farm visit in Missouri, hinting at a possible fertilizer relief announcement on RFD-TV earlier this week. USDA also restructures its research infrastructure and launches new food-safety centers.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins hints at new fertilizer plan while trade deals, soybean markets, and farm bill momentum drive ag policy discussion.
