American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s announcement that the first case of New World screwworm (NWS) has been reported in the United States. “The re-emergence of New World screwworm in the United States after 60 years will have an immediate impact on farmers and ranchers in the affected areas. We are confident that the longstanding coordination between the states and USDA will enable a quick response and hopefully limit the negative impacts and resulting market volatility. “We encourage farmers, ranchers and pet owners to familiarize themselves with the signs of NWS and notify a veterinarian if infection is suspected. It is important to be clear about the fact that this re-emergence does not threaten the safety of our food supply. We are fortunate to have one of the safest food supplies in the world, which includes multiple layers of protection. “We knew the screwworm could one day migrate north, and we appreciate USDA and Secretary Rollins for the coordination and mitigation efforts that have already occurred. Farm Bureau is committed to working with USDA and the affected areas in any way to eliminate this pest once again from the U.S.”
Chairmen Thompson, Boozman Statement on Domestic Detection of New World Screwworm– “For well over a year, Secretary Brooke Rollins and her team at USDA have been working around the clock alongside federal agencies, state partners and animal health experts to prevent New World Screwworm from entering the United States—longer than many thought possible—and to ensure we are prepared to respond to a potential domestic case. Their proactive efforts have strengthened our defenses against this serious threat to animal health and the livestock industry, and we appreciate their continued commitment to protecting American agriculture. “The detection of New World Screwworm within our borders should not be cause for panic, but rather time for the full deployment of the next phase of the whole-of-government response USDA has been planning for months. We have the tools, resources and an action plan to aggressively respond, enhance surveillance and prevent further spread. By working closely with producers, animal health officials, and our federal and state partners, we will take the necessary steps to protect and safeguard America’s livestock industry. We have successfully eradicated this threat to livestock, wildlife and animal health before, and we’re confident we will do so again.”
NMPF Statement on the Return of New World Screwworm- The return of New World screwworm to the United States decades after its initial eradication is a disappointing milestone, but it’s also one for which dairy producers have been preparing for more than a year, in collaboration with USDA and across agriculture. It’s important to remember that this development has no effect on food safety, and that measures to combat both the screwworm and its spread are in place and time-tested. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proactive efforts to prepare for this moment, and we stand ready to work with the department to address any ongoing challenges. Now that USDA has confirmed that screwworm is here, dairy farmers and all livestock producers pledge close collaboration with USDA, state and local officials, and producer organizations to mitigate any harmful effects and educate farmers on how to protect their herds. We have been creating resources to guide farmers in their responses, and we will keep our members well informed of any important screwworm developments. We also urge officials to follow scientific guidance in any decisions affecting animal movements and regulatory responses to avoid causing economic harm that could be greater than the screwworm itself. We also ask that adequate resources be provided to combat this problem, which causes suffering in animals and creates risk for producers.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) CEO Colin Woodall responded to the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that one case of New World Screwworm has been detected in a calf in South Texas:
“NCBA and our state partner organizations have been working for more than a year to combat the incursion of the New World Screwworm, and we are doing everything possible to protect the interests of American cattle producers. We appreciate USDA and other agencies for working rapidly to bolster critical resources that protect producers, including building a domestic sterile fly facility, increasing fly surveillance, and expediting the availability of necessary drugs and treatments for cattle. We defeated this harmful pest before in the 1960s by investing heavily in sterile fly dispersal and NCBA will continue using every tool in the toolbox to ensure Screwworm is eradicated in the U.S. once again.”
R-CALF USA– The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that New World screwworm was confirmed in the United States. The pest was detected in a 3-week-old calf in South Texas, and USDA stated it has mobilized response personnel and coordination efforts in the impacted area. In its statement, USDA said current response efforts include forming a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission, establishing an infested zone with movement controls and surveillance measures, expanding sterile fly release efforts, increasing trapping activities, implementing wildlife surveillance strategies, and conducting targeted outreach efforts in impacted areas. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard issued the following statement in response: “This confirmation marks a serious moment for American livestock producers and requires an immediate, coordinated response to protect animal health, the national cattle herd, America’s livestock producers, and our nation’s food supply. “We now switch from prevention to eradication. Producers need to be intensely vigilant in monitoring their livestock and reporting suspected cases to their veterinarian. We must push this pest back to Mexico and then continue efforts to push it back to Central America.”
The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is closely monitoring the announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the suspected detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Texas and the ongoing confirmatory testing now underway at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. USCA commends USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) for their swift response to this potential detection and for their extensive work on-the-ground to hold off the reemergence of New World Screwworm through 2025 and into the first half of 2026. Their early activation of personnel in the region, close coordination with state and local partners, and continued focus on prevention, early detection, and rapid response have bought producers and animal health officials critical time to prepare for a situation just like this. USCA welcomes USDA Secretary Rollins’ commitment that the Department will remain in constant communication with industry stakeholders as this situation develops. Timely, transparent updates from USDA, APHIS, and TAHC are vital to ensure that cattle producers have the information they need to safeguard their herds, implement any recommended biosecurity measures, and coordinate effectively with animal health officials. USCA’s Animal Health Committee is actively engaged on this issue and is in close contact with federal and state animal health officials as the situation evolves. USCA’s priority remains the protection of animal health, the integrity of the U.S. cattle herd, and the long-term viability of domestic livestock production. Further updates will be shared with our membership as additional details are released by USDA and its partners.
