Bill Aims to Protect Texas Livestock from Screwworm Threat

A bill introduced in Congress aims to safeguard livestock and wildlife in Texas and the U.S. from the New World screwworm, a destructive pest that once devastated ranches across the southern U.S.

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas) authored the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act to direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct a comprehensive study on screwworm surveillance and prevention efforts. The bill also requires USDA to recommend improvements that would strengthen the nation’s ability to respond to a potential outbreak...

USDA and Mexico Invest in Joint Effort to Eradicate New World Screwworm

On a recent call, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brook L. Rollins and Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, Julio Berdegué Sacristán, discussed ongoing efforts to contain the threat of New World Screwworm (NWS) south of the US-Mexico border. The USDA shared an update on the partnership via its website.

As part of this effort, the USDA announced a $21 million investment to renovate an existing fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. The goal is to produce an additional...

49th Executive Conference Highlights Resilience and Future Outlook of Animal Protein Sector

This year’s Executive Conference held in Las Vegas from May 5–7 for senior leaders in the animal protein sector, was an informative show of the industry’s and what we can expect from the protein sector in the coming years.  

“We feed the ever-growing needs of the entire population,” said Russ Whitman, Expana’s Director of Market Reporting, in his opening remarks. 

Despite challenges related to animal health, regulatory shifts, and geopolitical tensions, the industry has demonstrated remarkable perseverance. 

USDA Imposes Animal Import Restrictions on Belize Due to Screwworm Threat

The United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a statement on January 7, 2025 regarding live animals originating from or transiting Belize.

Based on the confirmation of New World screwworm in cattle, restrictions have been imposed, effective January 3, 2025 until further notice on the importation of animal commodities.

The restriction omits the importation of dogs who carry a certificate confirming the animal has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to its shipment to...