Lubbock Congressman Applauds USDA’s Big Move Against the New World Screwworm

It may not sound like much more than a fly, but the New World Screwworm is one of the nastiest threats cattle ranchers could face. And now, thanks to a major new USDA initiative, Texas ranchers might sleep a little easier at night.

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Arrington Applauds Rollins’ Bold USDA Plan to Stop Screwworm

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) praised U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins after she unveiled the largest USDA plan yet to stop the northward spread of the screwworm from Mexico into the United States. The announcement, made at the Texas State Capitol, includes the creation of a sterile fly facility in South Texas — a first-of-its-kind effort aimed directly at wiping out this devastating pest.

READ MORE: Flesh-Eating Flies Headed Our Way: Texas Gears Up for Battle!

Arrington said via press release:

Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration are steadfast in their commitment to protecting our ranchers. The announcement by USDA establishing a sterile fly facility in South Texas takes the fight to the screwworm and defends Rural America from this outbreak.

For those who don’t know, the New World Screwworm is more than just a nuisance — it’s a parasitic insect that burrows into livestock, causing immense suffering and threatening entire herds. An outbreak could devastate Texas cattle operations and ripple through the nation’s food supply.

Secretary Rollins explained it plainly:

We must construct an additional sterile fly production facility in the United States to stop the northward advancement of this terrible pest that is threatening American cattle production. If our ranchers are overrun by foreign pests, then we cannot feed ourselves.

READ MORE: Lubbock Congressman Fights Discrimination In Farm Assistance

Gov. Abbott Warns Screwworm Threat Puts Texas’ $867 Billion Agriculture Industry at Risk

Texas Governor Greg Abbott backed the plan as well, reminding everyone just how high the stakes are:

Texas agricultural producers feed the world, with our state’s food and agriculture sector supporting over 2 million well-paying jobs and creating over $867 billion in total economic impact. All of this is at risk because of the New World Screwworm.

The sterile fly technique, which involves releasing hundreds of millions of flies that cannot reproduce, is a proven way to eradicate populations of the pest. By placing a facility right in South Texas, the USDA hopes to stop screwworms before they ever get a chance to spread.

Bottom line: with Washington, Austin, and West Texas leaders working together, this could be the beginning of the end for one of the cattle industry’s most dangerous enemies.