By Audrey Jackson
Reuter’s Tom Polansek reported that, “the U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend $25 million on a facility in Arizona to disperse sterile flies used to ?combat the flesh-eating livestock pest New World screwworm, the agency said on Wednesday.”
“The facility will expand Washington’s efforts to control the spread of screwworms as the USDA plans to lift a ban on imports of Mexican cattle that it imposed more than a year ago in ?an attempt to keep the pest out of the U.S.,” Polansek reported. “The ban on ?Mexican cattle helped push U.S. beef prices to record highs, hurting consumers ?and putting pressure on President Donald Trump’s administration to lower costs. However, the decision to resume ?imports drew criticism from some U.S. cattle producers, who said it would increase the ?risk for screwworm infestations.”
“The most effective tool against screwworm is sterile flies, according to the USDA,” Polansek reported. “Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sent a letter to the agency on Wednesday that proposed a dispersal facility for them ?in Douglas, Arizona, according to a post on X.”
“‘The continued threat of New World screwworm, prolonged disruptions to livestock trade, and additional costs for producers could keep beef prices elevated and further strain household grocery budgets,’ Hobbs said,” Polansek reported.
Cattle Entering Douglas Port Will Undergo Multiple Inspections
Meatingplace’s Chris Moore reported that, “Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins toured livestock inspection facilities at the Douglas port with Arizona lawmakers and state agriculture officials ahead of the planned Aug. 24 reopening of the crossing to cattle imports. The port is to be the first to reopen under USDA’s phased plan following restrictions imposed because of New World screwworm.”
Source : illinois.edu