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Ranchers and industry urge interagency plan to fight new‑world screwworm
Summary
Witnesses at the subcommittee hearing backed HR 74‑66, urging a formal USDA–Interior agreement, expanded surveillance and sterile‑fly production to control the new‑world screwworm and protect livestock; Texas Farm Bureau warned of economic risk but said established techniques exist.
Jared Blankenship, state director for the Texas Farm Bureau, told the subcommittee the new‑world screwworm poses a renewed animal‑health threat and called HR 74‑66 a necessary coordination tool. "The legislation would establish a formal partnership between USDA and the Department of Interior to support surveillance, monitoring, and eradication activities," he said, adding that sterile‑fly techniques used historically remain the most effective method.
Blankenship and other witnesses emphasized cooperation with state officials and cross‑border partners. Members from affected districts, including Representatives Stansbury and Downing, described confirmed cases in New Mexico and Texas and pressed for greater surveillance and transparency with Mexico. Blankenship said producers remain "alert but not alarmed" because proven techniques exist, and he urged congressional support for sustaining sterile‑fly production and rapid response resources.
