ICYMI: Congressman Gonzalez’s Efforts to Combat New World Screwworm Infestation

June 11, 2026 Press Release For almost two years, the Congressman has echoed a clear warning in Washington. The Administration didn’t listen. Contact: Alexis Torres Washington, D.C.— After meeting with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) experts in Kerrville, Texas, last year, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) consistently sounded the alarm in Washington on much-needed prevention efforts to eradicate the New World Screwworm (NWS). The Administration’s failure to listen to the scientists on the frontlines and urgently take preventative measures has led to the first U.S. confirmed case in South Texas this month—an immediate threat to the state’s $15 billion cattle industry. “The resurgence of this invasive pest, which the U.S. successfully eradicated in the 1960s, could devastate South Texas ranchers, wildlife, and our communities as a whole,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “With inflation already on the rise from the Administration’s policies and war in Iran, the last thing Texans need is a potential $1.8 billion hit to our cattle industry and statewide economy. Just as I warned, the arrival of the New World Screwworm has crossed the border. The Administration didn’t act fast enough. Instead, they cut funding for early detection and prevention and prioritized billions in taxpayer money to support lowering the cost of beef from Argentina—not America. While the recent opening of a new sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas is welcomed, it will not be operational until next fall. Now, USDA is playing catch-up to protect the livelihoods of our ranchers and prevent harmful effects to our food supply.” NWS is a flesh-eating parasitic fly, whose larva—or maggots that resemble worms—burrow into the wounds of cattle and other wildlife and pets. In severe instances, even humans can become infested, although the risk is low. The fly is typically found in South America and has steadily moved toward the U.S.-Mexico border since 2023. On June 3, 2026, the first confirmed U.S. case was reported in a three-week old calf in Zavala County, Texas. Outbreaks are primarily combated through a sterile insect technique, which involves breeding and releasing large quantities of sterile male screwworm flies. However, the Administration's slow and inadequate response to this public health crisis includes delayed operations at a new sterile fly production facilit y at Moore Air Base outside Edinburg, Texas, and an insufficient weekly release of 4 million sterile flies with an additional 4 million sterile flies placed in ground chambers. For context, when the U.S. eradicated NWS in 1966, up to 150 million sterile flies per week were being produced at a facility in South Texas. The Congressman’s record of working to prevent an NWS infestation and voice South Texas ranchers’ concerns in Washington are as follows: In March 2026, Congressman Gonzalez asked the House Appropriations Committee for robust funding for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an additional sterile fly facility in the United States for the purposes of NWS eradication. In February 2026, Congressman Gonzalez pushed for more NWS prevention efforts after USDA Secretary Brook Rollins visited the Rio Grande Valley for the opening of a new USDA sterile fly facility. It will be operational Fall 2027. In December 2025, Congressman Gonzalez testified before the House Agriculture Committee to request Congress intervene and allocate federal funding to expedite the production of sterile flies. In June 2025, Congressman Gonzalez joined USDA Secretary Rollins, Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller, and several Members of Congress to announce a five-pronged plan to combat the spread of NWS. In June 2025, Congressman Gonzalez and 79 of his House colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to urge USDA Secretary Rollins to utilize authorities provided by the Animal Health Protection Act to build and operate a domestic sterile fly facility. In May 2025, Congressman Gonzalez met with USDA experts at the Knipling Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, Texas, to discuss preventive measures and desired production levels to effectively protect South Texas cattle and livestock from NWS. In May 2025, Congressman Gonzalez asked the House Appropriations Committee for $300,000,000 for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish an additional sterile fly facility in the United States for the purposes of NWS eradication. In May 2025, Congressman Gonzalez cosponsored H.R. 3392, the STOP Screwworms Act, to authorize funds for USDA to begin construction on a new sterile fly production facility. Issues : Agriculture