STOP Screwworms Act Gains Urgency Amid U.S. Threat

The U.S. has suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico after the New World Screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite affecting livestock, pets, and occasionally humans, was detected in southern Mexico. This development has heightened concerns among ranchers and agricultural officials in Texas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi, who fear the parasite's northward spread could devastate U.S. herds and drive beef prices even higher. The screwworm, previously eradicated from the U.S., has led to immediate border closures for threatened animals and has caused significant trade disruptions and financial losses for ranchers in both countries. In response, bipartisan support is growing for the STOP Screwworms Act, which seeks to fund a new sterile fly production facility in Texas, supplementing the only current facility in Panama. Lawmakers and industry groups are prioritizing rapid domestic production capacity and urging increased monitoring and swift legislative action. The agricultural sector is on high alert to prevent the parasite’s reintroduction and protect the economy.