Statement from the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association on the Construction of Screwworm Sterile Fly Production Facility

The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) welcomes today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers of a contract partnership with Mortenson Construction to build a New World Screwworm sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas.  President Justin Tupper states: “This new sterile fly production facility in Texas is a clear signal that protecting U.S. animal health and safeguarding our livestock industry remains a national priority. America’s cattle producers depend on strong, science-based defense systems against foreign animal pests and diseases, and we welcome this investment as an important step toward providing producers with the tools they need to stay prepared. The threat of New World Screwworm infestation in the United States is a matter of national security. USCA looks forward to a timely and efficient construction process and to continued collaboration with federal partners to ensure the long-term resilience and safety of the U.S. cattle herd.”  USCA remains committed to working alongside federal partners to ensure the U.S. cattle herd remains protected from emerging animal health threats.