Governor Greg Abbott has declared a statewide disaster in Texas to help prevent the possible spread of the New World screwworm fly, which threatens livestock and wildlife. The declaration aims to give the Texas New World Screwworm (NWS) Response Team more resources to stop the parasite from entering Texas.
“Although the New World screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” said Governor Abbott. “State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife. With this statewide disaster declaration, the Texas NWS Response Team can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. Texas is prepared to fully eradicate this pest if need be.”
As part of these efforts, Governor Abbott has instructed both the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) to form a joint response team focused on controlling any potential outbreak of the screwworm fly. In addition, he announced cooperation with federal agencies, including working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Secretary Brooke Rollins, on establishing a $750 million Domestic Sterile NWS Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas.
The New World screwworm fly is currently not found in either Texas or elsewhere in the United States but has been moving northward from Mexico toward the southern border. State officials are taking these preemptive steps because an infestation could lead to significant losses for ranchers and impact local ecosystems.
