Texas Governor Issues Disaster Declaration

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced a statewide disaster declaration aimed at protecting livestock and wildlife from the potential spread of the New World screwfly. This action comes as the parasite is making its way north from Mexico toward the U.S. border.

The proclamation enables the Texas New World Maggot Control Team to use all available resources to tackle the threat posed by this parasite within the state.

“Although the New World screwfly hasn’t yet reached Texas or the U.S., its movement northward could pose serious risks to our livestock and wildlife,” Abbott stated.

He emphasized the importance of taking proactive measures by stating, “State law empowers me to act in order to prevent substantial damage to Texas property, and I won’t wait for that damage to occur.” The declaration allows the team to optimize resources to combat this potentially devastating threat.

According to Abbott, Texas officials are ready to eradicate the pest if it’s deemed necessary. He also directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department alongside the Texas Animal Health Commission to form the Joint Texas New World Screwmaggot Control Team, which will take preemptive actions against this threat.

Additionally, Abbott brought attention to a collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a new production facility for sterile New World screwworms, with an investment of $750 million near Edinburg, Texas.

In an earlier statement, the Department of Agriculture referred to the New World screwworm as a “devastating pest.” The larvae can burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often fatal damage. This pest can affect livestock, pets, wildlife, and in rare cases, humans, presenting a significant danger not just to ranching communities, but also to the food supply and national security.