Florida is taking aggressive action to protect its livestock, pets, and wildlife from the flesh-eating New World Screwworm. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued a strict new emergency rule, expanding bans on rescue and shelter pets from affected states and locking down transit rules for livestock and other warm-blooded animals.

Emergency Rule 5CER26-7

The emergency rule, which went into effect immediately, completely bars all rescue or shelter dogs and cats originating from any state with a confirmed screwworm case from entering Florida until further notice. Additionally, the state has placed a total moratorium on all warm-blooded animals coming from counties with confirmed detections—as well as their neighboring counties—through June 12, 2026.

Once the temporary moratorium expires, any warm-blooded animal moving into Florida from those designated infested zones will face strict entry requirements. Owners will be required to obtain an official Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Certificate of Animal Movement, secure a prior permission number at least two days before arrival, and provide documentation showing the animals have been treated with a preventative or corrective screwworm medication.

Animals arriving from broader high-risk areas must also travel with an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that is valid for only five days from inspection. This paperwork must explicitly state that all listed animals have been examined and are completely free of screwworm larvae.

Commissioner Simpson emphasized that Florida will respond to the screwworm threat based on facts, not fear, and will continue to be the most aggressive state in the nation when it comes to protecting its livestock, pets, wildlife, people, and agricultural economy from this threat.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.