Neguse, Bennet, Hickenlooper Urge USDA to Bolster Screwworm Preparedness Actions
Washington, D.C. — As New World Screwworm (NWS) cases continue to spread through New Mexico and Texas, raising concerns across Western states, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper penned a letter to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) imploring the agency to swiftly expand surveillance and response activities to prevent the pest's further spread.
The New World Screwworm is a destructive pest that threatens livestock, wildlife and rural economies. It’s been nearly 60 years since the last outbreak of NWS on U.S. soil, and recent confirmed cases in states bordering Colorado have increased concerns for local farmers and ranchers.
“[W]e urge the USDA to take additional swift actions to expand surveillance and response activities and resources to prevent further spread, protecting ranchers and livestock across both Colorado and the country. As you know, NWS pose a serious threat to our wildlife, farmers, and ranchers, and overarching impacts to rural economies. We are concerned by the spread of cases from Texas to New Mexico, and encourage you to take strong steps to prevent further spread. Screwworm infestations can cause severe injury, illness, and even death in cattle and other livestock—causing significant economic losses for agricultural producers and disruptions to animal health,” wrote Neguse, Bennet, and Hickenlooper.
In their letter, the Colorado lawmakers request USDA take steps to bolster surveillance activities and inspections across the state, noting that an infestation could be catastrophic for rural and ranching communities.
“Protecting Colorado’s agricultural economy from New World Screwworm is intrinsically tied to our nation’s food security. Preventing the northward spread of this pest shields supply chains, maintains system stability, and ensures that our ranchers remain resilient. It must be noted that if this parasite breaches Colorado borders, the financial and operational burden of response and mitigation activities would be catastrophic to our producers and our state.”
Colorado agriculture officials have already activated measures to prevent and control a potential outbreak, including coordinating the release of sterile flies to carry out the sterile insect technique. The letter from Neguse, Bennet, and Hickenlooper encourages continued cooperation between state and federal agencies.
The lawmakers concluded, “[W]e urge the USDA to take swift action to enhance surveillance and response efforts, expand available resources, and plan for necessary state support to keep our nation and our agricultural communities safe from further infestations.”
Read the full letter HERE and below:
The Honorable Brooke Rollins
Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Secretary Rollins,
We write to express our growing concern regarding the recent New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak in the United States. As members of the Colorado congressional delegation, we urge the USDA to take additional swift actions to expand surveillance and response activities and resources to prevent further spread, protecting ranchers and livestock across both Colorado and the country.
As you know, NWS pose a serious threat to our wildlife, farmers, and ranchers, and overarching impacts to rural economies. We are concerned by the spread of cases from Texas to New Mexico, and encourage you to take strong steps to prevent further spread. Screwworm infestations can cause severe injury, illness, and even death in cattle and other livestock—causing significant economic losses for agricultural producers and disruptions to animal health.
We urge the USDA to bolster surveillance activities, enhance animal inspections, ensure animal traceability, and prioritize expanding sterile fly production capabilities. Concurrently, we request collaboration with producers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders in Colorado to provide clear guidance and technical assistance on NWS prevention, detection, treatment, and reporting. Robust outreach, surveillance, and coordinated response efforts are essential to limiting the spread of infestations. We also support USDA's continued use of sterile fly releases, coordination with the State of Colorado’s animal health officials, and assistance to Colorado and other states to enhance prevention and response efforts. Further, improving early detection can help animal recovery and help minimize potential losses for producers.
Protecting Colorado’s agricultural economy from New World Screwworm is intrinsically tied to our nation’s food security. Preventing the northward spread of this pest shields supply chains, maintains system stability, and ensures that our ranchers remain resilient. It must be noted that if this parasite breaches Colorado borders, the financial and operational burden of response and mitigation activities would be catastrophic to our producers and our state. In the event of an outbreak, Colorado would need immediate and significant USDA financial assistance to execute a successful response and recovery effort. Therefore, we urgently request that USDA establish emergency cooperative agreements to ensure the necessary state financial aid.
In sum, we urge the USDA to take swift action to enhance surveillance and response efforts, expand available resources, and plan for necessary state support to keep our nation and our agricultural communities safe from further infestations.
Sincerely,
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