AFPI Applauds Success in Protecting American Cattle from New World Screwworm

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) applauds the success of the Trump Administration’s proactive measures and rapid response to contain and stop the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS), which has resulted in, this week, the reduction of NWS cases to only one active case in the United States. After going on offense in a multi-agency, international effort for more than a year, the Administration has all but eliminated the pest’s presence, with continued efforts ongoing.

“The United States Department of Agriculture has responded to the New World Screwworm swiftly and successfully,” said Christie Mullin, chair of Rural Policy at AFPI. “Thanks to President Trump, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Rollins, and the Cabinet, the New World Screwworm is a diminishing threat in the U.S., and impacted animals have made a full recovery. Years of lax border enforcement and inattention to prevention measures south of the border allowed this threat to return. Still, the Administration has successfully met it head-on and fought for more than a year in defense of American ranchers and that vigilance is now paying off.”

Today, health and safety risks to the U.S. cattle herd are minimal and ports of entry along the southern border are re-opening to live cattle, bison, and horse trade, as planned. This is a direct product of more than a year of the Trump Administration's all-of-government, proactive surveillance, border control, sterile fly release, and animal treatment efforts. This Administration has successfully protected American livestock and ranchers at a critical time in rebuilding the American beef herd and once again established long-term security for North American cattle producers.