Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins held a press conference Friday in Texas on the threat of New World Screwworm, calling it a “national security issue and threat” that affects the “cost of groceries and cost of living.” Rollins announced updates to USDA’s five-part plan, including a new domestic sterile fly facility in Texas, 20 miles from the border, with a $750 million investment and 300 new jobs. An additional $100 million will accelerate the response with more traps and lures. To track infected wildlife, the USDA will use mounted horseback riders and trained beagles.
