Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) introduced the Safeguarding America’s Food Economy and Controlling Agricultural Threats to Livestock and Enterprises Act or the SAFE CATTLE Act. This bill will establish a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to carry out, and coordinate on, activities to prevent, control, and eradicate New World screwworm in wildlife species on federal lands. Representatives Don Davis (D-NC), Harriet Hageman (R-WY), and Darren Soto (D-FL) are co-leading this bill in the House.
“The SAFE CATTLE Act is a critical step in fortifying the Federal government’s response against the devastating threat of the New World screwworm, which puts over $11 billion in economic value from Texas’ livestock and wildlife industries at immediate risk,” said Rep. Ronny Jackson. “By ensuring the USDA and DOI are operating in lockstep, we are building on the proactive investments of the Trump administration to combat this parasite and prevent its spread before it destroys our rural communities.”
“The import of New World screwworm is a serious threat to America’s livestock, wildlife, and food supply, and we cannot afford a fragmented federal response,” said Rep. Harriet Hageman. “The SAFE CATTLE Act requires real coordination between the Departments of Agriculture and of the Interior, so outbreaks are detected early, contained quickly, and stopped before they devastate producers and rural communities. This bill protects our wildlife and the agricultural backbone of this country before a crisis hits."
Source : house.gov