USDA’s Screwworm Plan Wins Strong Ag Support

The USDA’s plan to combat New World Screwworm with a domestic sterile fly production facility in Texas has been met with strong support from national and state agriculture leaders. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal called it “a critical step to protect the domestic cattle industry,” while National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall said the facility will “greatly help stop the spread of screwworm and protect the American cattle herd for years to come.” National Association of State Departments of Agriculture CEO Ted McKinney emphasized the value of collaboration between federal agencies and state partners, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Arkansas Senator John Boozman, described the move as “bold, decisive action to protect American livestock.”