State and industry warn Texas'wide readiness needed for potential new world screwworm outbreak

The committee evaluated Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's preparedness for possible New World screwworm incursions. David Yoskiewicz (executive director, TPWD) said TPWD is coordinating weekly with the Texas Animal Health Commission, USDA and other states, has held workshops and webinars and is finalizing guidance for inspection, carcass disposal and state-park protocols. He said TPWD has sent outreach materials ("e-newsletters to 1,300,000 subscribers" so far in 2026) and is prepared to provide personnel to unified incident command roles, but cautioned that TPWD's internal resources could sustain only a limited response through the end of the calendar year without new targeted resources.

Industry witnesses described field realities: Andrew Earl (Texas Wildlife Association) called the threat "existential" for some wildlife stakeholders, cited high fawn mortality rates in endemic areas and said USDA is expanding sterile-fly production and investing in research and facilities. Nash Murray (Texas Deer Association) emphasized field-level monitoring by breeders and landowners and offered to provide best practices for breeders; Warren Coode (Texas Farm Bureau) urged game warden training in high-risk counties, approved disposal methods, and interagency stop-movement coordination. Members asked for written materials and for TPWD to produce a clear plan the committee can review; agencies and stakeholders agreed to submit materials and to continue coordination.