In response to @USDA detecting one case of New World Screwworm in a calf in South Texas, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall released the following statement: “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.”

.@realDonaldTrump @WhiteHouse Cattlemen and women cannot stand behind President Trump while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef. It is imperative that @POTUS and @SecRollins let cattle markets work without interference. If the administration is truly an ally of America’s cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets and focus instead on completing the promised New World Screwworm facility in Texas; make additional investments that protect the domestic cattle herd from foreign animal diseases such as FMD; and address regulatory burdens, such as delisting of the gray wolf and addressing the scourge of black vultures.

New World screwworm is now 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. That is far too close. @USDA has taken some important steps to protect the cattle industry, but it's time to move faster. NCBA is asking for: 🏗️ @USDA to expedite construction of the domestic sterile fly facility 💉 @FDA to build on their emergency use authorization and approve more treatment options for screwworm 🪰 @EPA to approve pesticides to combat screwworm Cattle producers should stay vigilant and report any suspicious wounds, larvae, or flies to their state animal health officials.