US dismisses claims that USAID cuts influenced screwworm expansion

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has strongly refuted suggestions that reduced foreign aid funding contributed to the resurgence of the screwworm pest in Texas. The screwworm, a parasite that infests open wounds of livestock and other mammals, was previously eradicated in the United States in the 1960s.

"That has absolutely nothing to do with it," Rollins stated when questioned about the elimination of funds for screwworm surveillance programs in Central America. She highlighted the USDA's increased commitment, noting that the number of full-time employees focused on the screwworm has risen from ten to over 120, representing a "1,000% increase." Rollins asserted that the agency has allocated substantial resources to combat the pest and prevent its re-establishment in the U.S.

Rollins' comments serve as a direct response to criticism from Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and segments of the livestock industry. These critics have voiced concerns about the federal government's containment strategy, suggesting potential shortcomings in prior surveillance systems that may have allowed the pest to advance. The article notes that USAID had a program dedicated to preventing the screwworm's spread across the U.S.-Mexico border among over 5,300 eliminated programs.

Authorities have confirmed at least seven screwworm infections in Texas and New Mexico, raising alarms about a potential widespread outbreak. Such an outbreak could inflict billions of dollars in losses on the livestock industry, particularly in Texas, which holds the nation's largest cattle inventory. This could further exacerbate already high beef prices, which have been impacted by drought, increased production costs, and trade restrictions with Mexico.