Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) applauded U.S. Secretary Brooke L. Rollins' announcement at the Texas State Capitol, which included the largest USDA initiative to date in the fight against the New World Screwworm (NWS), a critical step in strengthening the agency’s five-pronged strategy to prevent the northward spread of NWS from Mexico into the United States.

“Secretary Rollins and the Trump administration are steadfast in their commitment to protecting our ranchers,” said Chairman Arrington. “The announcement by USDA establishing a sterile fly facility in South Texas takes the fight to the screwworm and defends Rural America from this outbreak.”

“We have assessed the information on the ground in Mexico and have determined we must construct an additional sterile fly production facility in the United States to stop the northward advancement of this terrible pest that is threatening American cattle production. President Trump has made it clear that we must take all necessary steps to protect our country from foreign pests and diseases that threaten our economy and way of life. Today we are announcing a major investment to further America’s existential role in protecting our country and secure our borders from this national security threat,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility will ensure the United States continues to lead the way in combating this devastating pest. If our ranchers are overrun by foreign pests, then we cannot feed ourselves. USDA and Customs and Border Protection are constantly monitoring our ports of entry to keep NWS away from our borders. We are working every day to ensure our American agricultural industry is safe, secure, and resilient.”

“Texas agricultural producers feed the world, with our state’s food and agriculture sector supporting over 2 million well-paying jobs and creating over $867 billion in total economic impact,” said Texas Greg Governor Abbott. “All of this is at risk because of the New World screwworm. Working with Secretary Rollins and members of the agricultural community nationwide, we will combat the threat from the New World screwworm right here in Texas through the building of a new facility to breed hundreds of millions of sterile New World screwworm flies. Together, we will eradicate the threat from the New World screwworm to protect our nation's food supply and economy.”

Background:

• Since announcing the plan in June, Secretary Rollins, USDA, and federal and state partners have worked around the clock to keep NWS out of the United States and prepare for all contingencies in case NWS does enter the United States.

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