Texas officials are mobilizing resources to combat the new world screwworm after several confirmed cases were identified in the state, prompting Gov. Greg Abbott to activate the State Emergency Operations Center and issue a statewide disaster declaration.
Screwworm Infestation
So far, there are five confirmed cases: three calves and a goat in Texas and a dog from neighboring Lea County, New Mexico. The dog, which the USDA initially reported as a Texas case, lives in New Mexico and was reclassified as the first in that state. The animal’s travel history is being investigated.
State and national leaders gathered in Kerrville on Monday to discuss the threat posed by the livestock pest, which officials describe as the largest infestation among cattle and animals in 60 years. According to USDA documents, a large outbreak could result in an estimated $1.8 billion economic loss.
For now, industry leaders say consumers should not expect the five confirmed cases to affect beef prices or quality. However, experts warn that this could change if the infestation spreads and cattle quarantines become necessary.
Americans are already paying record-high prices for beef. A combination of factors, including a low cattle herd, severe weather, consolidation in the industry, inflation, Trump administration tariffs and a closed Mexican cattle trade have contributed to rising costs.
According to data cited from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, beef prices increased from $4.38 per pound in July 2021 to nearly $7 per pound today. Uncooked steak prices also climbed during that period, rising from $9.67 per pound to more than $13 per pound.
Stephen Diebel, the President of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the current screwworm cases are not expected to create additional impacts on the food system. “Meat is safe. We do not have a food safety issue,” Diebel said.
Abbott said the potential economic consequences of a larger outbreak prompted the statewide disaster declaration and the deployment of additional personnel from Texas A&M University, Texas Parks and Wildlife, animal services agencies and Health and Human Services.
“I issued a statewide disaster declaration for all 254 counties in the state of Texas to mobilize resources,” Abbott said.
Officials said the primary strategy for controlling the pest involves releasing sterile male flies into the wild to prevent reproduction. Texas has broken ground on a $750 million facility in Edinburg, Texas, that will produce those flies. The facility is expected to become operational in May 2027.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
