US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced plans to construct a new Sterile Fly Facility at the former Moore Air Base near Mission, Texas, in response to the growing screwworm outbreak in Mexico. To read more, click here.
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture: Following today’s rollout of USDA’s five-pronged plan to combat New World screwworm, NASDA CEO Ted McKinney issued a statement of support for USDA’s new actions. “NASDA is grateful for USDA’s investment in defending the U.S. against an outbreak of new world screwworm and for recognizing states as critical partners in helping prevent, mitigate and eradicate foreign animal diseases,” McKinney said. “NASDA is always committed to working with intergovernmental agencies and industry stakeholders to foster a collaborative approach to animal health initiatives.” Combating the spread of diseases, protecting animal health and welfare and guarding against the spread of invasive species are key responsibilities of state departments of agriculture. NASDA members are actively engaged in these issues at the state, federal and international level to ensure the safety and profitability of U.S. agriculture. NASDA is also enormously pleased to see the announcement of plans for a new domestic sterile insect production facility for screwworm. “This step to intensify efforts to eradicate New World screwworm before it crosses the U.S. border is needed to protect our livestock and support U.S. farmers and ranchers,” McKinney said. “NASDA encourages USDA to act swiftly to establish the facility to ensure we are able to adequately protect U.S. livestock.”
American Farm Bureau Federation: President Zippy Duvall commented today on USDA’s announcement that it will open a domestic sterile fly production facility to battle the New World screwworm. “Farm Bureau commends Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump administration for committing the necessary resources to continue the battle to prevent the New World screwworm from entering the United States and affecting our cattle herd. Secretary Rollins and USDA have answered the call of cattle producers across the country by establishing a domestic sterile fly production facility in Texas. “It took decades to eradicate this parasite from within and adjacent to our borders more than a generation ago, and this is a proactive first step. Cattle markets are already volatile, and the introduction of New World screwworm within the U.S. would only increase that volatility. “We thank USDA and Secretary Rollins for her leadership protecting the domestic cattle industry and we stand ready to help ensure the speedy and efficient construction of this facility and implementation of the updated plan.”
Oklahoma Cattlemens Association: These steps in addition to the five original protocols are excellent. We must have a facility of our own, and this plan is set to get that done as soon as possible. OCA greatly appreciates Secretary Rollins bold leadership on these strategies. That being said, we must continue to be proactive, now working on plans for when the fly does arrive in the US, specifically how we will monitor and control its movement while keeping the food supply chain robust.
United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) released the following statement following USDA’s announcement of the historic investment on New World Screwworm eradication efforts:
“USCA extends our sincere appreciation for the new investments and actions announced by Secretary Rollins to combat the New World Screwworm outbreak. The economic threat posed by this parasite is significant, to both producers and consumers, and we are encouraged by USDA’s commitment to building a more secure beef supply chain, safeguarding national security. We are especially pleased to see USDA moving forward with a new, domestic sterile fly facility in Texas, which will be a major step toward eliminating our sole reliance on foreign facilities, as well as the commitment from USDA to support meantime measures as the facilities come into action. The increase in border surveillance, cross-border collaboration, and research into potential treatments all reflect a serious and comprehensive approach to protecting our nation’s livestock. This plan was informed by listening to stakeholders, including USCA members, and we are grateful that the concerns of America’s cattle producers are being heard and acted upon. We are ready to work with USDA to ensure the successful implementation of this action plan and to safeguard our herds and our industry,” said USCA President Justin Tupper.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: announced continued support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) aggressive plan to combat the spread of New World screwworm by ramping up construction of a sterile fly distribution facility alongside a production facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas. “American cattle producers commend President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their swift action in combating the spread of New World screwworm. Their leadership and diligence, along with USDA’s collaboration with Texas in building sterile fly production and distribution facilities at Moore Air Base, marks a critical step in stopping the spread of screwworm and protecting the American cattle herd,” said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall. “Today’s announcement of rapid construction of sterile fly facilities that will boost weekly output of flies to more than 300 million, is vital news for U.S. cattle producers. Producing flies domestically under American oversight will overcome supply challenges in Mexico and Central America, strengthening our fight against New World screwworm and protecting herds on both sides of the border.”
Texas Cattle Raisers Association: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott together announced an investment of $850 million to combat the threat of New World screwworm (NWS), a pest that is endemic in Central and South America. This federal funding provides up to $750 million for a domestic sterile fly production facility at Moore Airfield Base in Edinburg, Texas, as well as additional dollars for research. The new sterile fly production facility has a capacity of 300 million flies per week. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association attended the announcement to show the association’s support and emphasize the importance of protecting U.S. agriculture. “Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association cannot overstate the significance of funding a domestic sterile fly production facility. Thank you to Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration for spearheading this effort, and thank you Governor Abbott and the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team for continually positioning Texas for success against the threat of NWS,” said Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association President Carl Ray Polk Jr. Prior to this announcement, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) committed Moore Airfield Base as a dispersal facility for sterile NWS flies which was to be completed at the end of the year. While NWS can be treated, the only proven method for eradication is releasing sterile male flies to mate with wild females collapsing the population over time. The only sterile fly facility in the world is COPEG in Pacora, Panamá which is currently operating at full capacity, producing 115 million flies per week. The U.S. owned a facility in Chiapas during the screwworm outbreak in the 1960s but it has since been closed. “TSCRA has long drawn attention to the critical need for increased numbers of sterile flies to push NWS populations back to the Darién Gap. A sterile fly production facility is a warranted investment given the financial consequences to our agricultural economy, wildlife populations and public health,” said Polk.
R-CALF USA praised U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for announcing an $850 million federal investment to protect American ranchers from the New World screwworm (NWS). Recent reports have revealed that the threat is within 370 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.
“We applaud the Trump administration’s continued efforts to combat New World screwworm, as highlighted in today’s press conference with Governor Abbott and Secretary Rollins,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard. “These new efforts are appreciated, but they take time to implement. We reaffirm that the southern border must remain closed until Mexico proves the pest has been eradicated. American ranching families must come first. This is a national security issue and cannot be ignored.” Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller also praised the announcement. “I was pleased to welcome my friend, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, back to Texas and applaud her commitment to fight the New World Screwworm threat that puts our state’s $30 billion livestock industry in jeopardy,” Miller said. “Her announcement about USDA’s plans to construct a new sterile fly production facility in South Texas is welcome news. I will continue to work side by side with Secretary Rollins to develop the tools necessary to combat this insidious threat and protect our ag industry and all who depend on it.”
