Texas: Governor Abbott Announces Federal Funding To Strengthen NWS Inspection Capacity

~ In a recent announcement, Governor Greg Abbott revealed that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) APHIS Veterinary Services has approved a cooperative agreement with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC). This agreement will provide immediate federal funding to the TAHC to hire additional inspectors and strengthen the state's response to the New World screwworm (NWS).

Governor Abbott expressed his commitment to protecting Texas' livestock producers and agricultural economy from the threat of NWS. He stated, "Texas will take every action necessary to safeguard our livestock producers and agricultural economy from the New World screwworm." The governor also thanked USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins for her leadership in securing this support.

Secretary Rollins also commented on the partnership between Texas and the USDA, saying, "Since day one of the Trump Administration, we have moved at lightning speed to eradicate the threat to the U.S. of New World screwworm." She added that this funding will help ensure that there are ample strategies and resources in place to identify and combat this pest.

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The funding provided by this agreement will allow TAHC to hire 15 new term positions, including 10 Field Inspectors and specialists in emergency management and epidemiology. These new positions will significantly expand the state's inspection and containment capacity.

Governor Abbott has been taking decisive action in response to NWS. He directed the creation of a joint Texas NWS Response Team, which brings together state agencies, producers, veterinarians, wildlife experts, and federal partners. Additionally, he joined Secretary Rollins in announcing a $750 million investment in a new sterile fly production facility in Edinburg.

To further strengthen prevention and response efforts before any cases were detected, Governor Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration. Following the first confirmed cases of NWS in Texas, he deployed all available state resources and activated the State Emergency Operations Center. The governor also joined Secretary Rollins and federal partners at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville for a briefing on the ongoing NWS response.

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In an effort to certify more NWS inspectors across Texas and keep livestock moving, Governor Abbott launched a free online training course. He urges all Texans to remain vigilant in the fight against NWS by inspecting their livestock and pets for wounds and reporting any suspected cases, including in wildlife, immediately. Reports can be made to the TAHC's 24-hour veterinarian call line at 1-800-550-8242 for livestock and pets, and to Texas Parks and Wildlife's 24-hour biologists' call line at 512-389-4505 for wildlife. It is important not to move affected animals.

For the latest updates, guidance, and resources on NWS, Texans are encouraged to visit the TAHC website at tahc.texas.gov/emergency/nws.html or the USDA website at screwworm.gov. With this cooperative agreement and continued efforts from both state and federal partners, it is hoped that NWS can be eradicated forever.

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