REPS. HILL, CRAWFORD, WESTERMAN, AND WOMACK THANK USDA FOR SWIFT SCREWWORM RESPONSE, ENCOURAGE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION FACILITY TO PROTECT ARKANSAS FARMERS AND RANCHERS
WASHINGTON, D.C.,
July 29, 2025
Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), along with Rep. Crawford (AR-01), Rep. Westerman (AR-04), and Rep. Womack (AR-03), sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins thanking the administration for its prompt and effective leadership in responding to the northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) and urging full consideration of establishing a domestic NWS production facility within the United States. Rep. Hill said, “Protecting Arkansas ranchers and farmers from the devastating impacts screwworms would have on their livestock is critical, which is why I raised their concerns with senior officials during my recent trip to Mexico. The Trump Administration and Secretary Rollins have responded swiftly and effectively, and I’m confident they’ll give full consideration to a domestic screwworm production facility. Investing in American infrastructure puts our farmers and ranchers first, puts America first, and strengthens our national security.” Background: In March 2025, the USDA suspended livestock imports from Mexico due to the NWS threat. Later, the USDA announced plans for a dispersal facility in south Texas, which would release sterile NWS to eradicate their reproduction. While a domestic dispersal facility has been announced, a domestic production facility for sterile NWS has not. In June, Secretary Rollins and her department outlined a broader strategy to prevent the spread of NWS into the United States, including the potential for an NWS production facility. To fully implement this strategy, this letter encourages the USDA to move forward with a domestic production facility to protect our farmers and ranchers and to safeguard livestock herds in Arkansas and across America. Read the full letter HERE. |
