health
Senate Democrats push USDA to boost screwworm mitigation efforts
Nearly two dozen Democratic senators on Thursday urged the Agriculture Department to expand its war against the New World screwworm, warning that new tactics are needed after the parasitic fly recently crossed the U.S. border.
TL;DR
- Democratic senators are urging the USDA to intensify its fight against the New World screwworm.
- The screwworm has crossed the U.S. border into Texas and New Mexico, posing a threat to the livestock industry.
- Senators requested accelerated sterile fly production, increased research, and coordination with border states.
- The current sterile fly production capacity is insufficient, relying heavily on a facility in Panama.
- Plans are underway for a domestic sterile fly facility, but it is not expected to be operational until at least May 2027.