Texas Ranchers Question USDA Response to Screwworm Cases
The USDA confirmed two infestations of New World screwworm in Texas this week, marking the first domestic cases in decades. While officials have established quarantine zones and sterile fly releases, local ranchers remain divided over the transparency and speed of the federal response. Experts warn that a widespread outbreak could cause 1.8 billion dollars in economic damage to the state.
The United States Department of Agriculture confirmed two New World screwworm infestations in Texas this week, the first domestic cases since the 1970s. The pest advanced north through Mexico over the past year, threatening $1.8 billion in economic damage to the state. Local ranchers remain divided over the federal response as the agency attempts to contain the parasite before it spreads to the broader national herd.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins stated the cattle industry took 30 years to recover from the last endemic period. To counter the current threat, Rollins has made four trips to South Texas to coordinate with local officials and industry stakeholders. The USDA established a 12-mile quarantine zone around the detection site in Zavala County, where response teams are deploying sterile flies to disrupt the mating cycle.
