U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, John Cornyn, and Ben Ray Luján have introduced the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act. The proposed legislation aims to authorize funding for a new sterile fly production facility under the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address the escalating New World screwworm (NWS) outbreak threatening the American cattle industry.
Senator Cruz emphasized the importance of agriculture in Texas’s economy, stating, “Texas agriculture and livestock are a core part of the Texas economy, and they feed America and the world.” He highlighted ongoing collaboration with Secretary Rollins, Texas authorities, and congressional colleagues to protect Texas from threats like NWS while urging Mexico to fulfill its eradication commitments.
Senator Cornyn underscored the significance of combatting NWS for protecting cattle and livestock producers nationwide. “I am proud to lead this legislation to create a new facility dedicated to pushing these pests away from our border,” he said, expressing continued support for agricultural leaders across Texas.
Senator Luján called for immediate congressional action given the current outbreak’s impact on New Mexico’s cattle industry. “This bipartisan legislation will fund a new sterile fly facility to help stop the spread of the destructive New World screwworm,” he noted, stressing its importance for New Mexico’s cattle farms and ranches.
Additional cosponsors include Senators Martin Heinrich and Cindy Hyde-Smith. In parallel, Representative Tony Gonzales has introduced companion legislation in the House. Rep. Gonzales highlighted concerns from agricultural producers about NWS resurgence: “We need to fully eradicate this pest before it’s too late.”
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae pose severe risks to livestock and wildlife. The USDA recently suspended live animal imports through the southern border due to increased NWS activity in Mexico. The proposed sterile fly facility would produce male screwworm flies for release into infested areas, using a technique that previously eradicated NWS from both the U.S. and Mexico.
The STOP Screwworms Act has received endorsements from several agricultural organizations including the American Farm Bureau Federation and various Texas-based associations.
