The U.S. government has taken significant steps to combat the increasing threat posed by New World screwworms (NWS) to live cattle and other animal imports.
On Wednesday, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins unveiled a comprehensive five-prong policy initiative aimed at halting the spread of this dangerous parasite.
A key component of the initiative is the plan to construct an $8.5 million insect dispersal facility in Texas, slated to operate by the end of the year.
This facility will breed millions of sterile NWS flies at Moore Air Base, with the primary goal of releasing the male flies into the wild.
By mating with female flies, these sterile males will help prevent the females from laying eggs in wounds, which otherwise result in flesh-eating larvae that can devastate livestock and other animals.
Once operational, this facility will become only the second breeding center for sterile NWS flies in the Western Hemisphere, following the successful establishment of a similar facility in Panama.
The Panama operation has historically played a significant role in preventing the migration of NWS into the U.S. until last year, when the pest began to spread further north.
In a news conference held at the South Texas air base, Rollins expressed confidence in the U.S. capabilities to eradicate the screwworm, stating, “The United States has defeated NWS before, and we will do it again.”
Concerns about the screwworm have escalated, particularly after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issued warnings late last year to outdoor enthusiasts regarding the risks posed by these pests.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) also took preemptive measures by suspending imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico in response to the looming threat from the parasitic flies.
NWS has been increasingly detected northward, and Texas officials reported sightings as close as 700 miles from the Mexican border.
The parasite, scientifically known as Cochliomyia hominivorax, has gained notoriety due to its staggering impact on livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans.
The larvae of the NWS fly burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing severe and often fatal injuries, prompting the USDA to classify it as a “devastating pest.”
In addition to the Texas facility, the USDA is allocating $21 million to transform a fruit fly breeding facility near Mexico’s southern border into another center for sterile NWS fly production, with a target operational date of 18 months.
The USDA aims to breed up to 300 million sterile flies per week at the Texas site, which is crucial in limiting the spread of these pests.
The existing facilities in Panama and Mexico currently produce around 100 million flies weekly, but the additional production in Texas is seen as essential in maintaining a buffer against the pest’s encroachment.
With the possibility of flies reaching the U.S. border by the end of summer if left unchecked, both U.S. officials and their Mexican counterparts are prioritizing cooperative efforts to contain the threat.
Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué expressed support for Rollins’ initiative, highlighting the positive implications for joint efforts between the two countries.
He stated, “We trust the enthusiasm for cooperation that Secretary Rollins mentioned… we will be able to restart exports of our cattle as soon as possible.”
Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association and a Nebraska cattle rancher, emphasized the historical significance of breeding sterile flies at Moore Air Base, which had previously contributed to the eradication of NWS in the United States during the 1960s.
Despite the availability of treatments for NWS infestations, the cattle industry remains apprehensive about potential economic losses without effective prevention measures.
As wildlife can also be carriers of the parasite, there are concerns about unchecked migration across borders.
Kansas Animal Health Commissioner Justin Smith highlighted the specific risks posed by wildlife, noting that feral pigs, deer, and wild cattle could play a role in spreading the infestation.
“With the ongoing threat from the New World screwworm and a heightened awareness of its impacts, state officials across the U.S. are closely monitoring the situation.
Ensuring that sterile flies can outnumber the non-sterile counterparts is pivotal in controlling the spread of the NWS and protecting the integrity of the American cattle herd.”
The USDA’s commitment to combating the New World screwworm showcases an important collaboration between federal, state, and industry entities aimed at preserving livestock health and agricultural stability.
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