Texas Farm Bureau urges quick passage by Congress of ‘STOP Screwworms Act’

The following statement may be attributed to Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening regarding the introduction of the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act.

“Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) thanks U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales for introducing the ‘STOP Screwworms Act’ and for being leaders on the New World screwworm (NWS) issue. “The NWS is a devastating pest that could cripple the U.S. livestock industry and cause significant losses to livestock and wildlife.

“It’s critical to be proactive and provide resources for swift response, including the immediate construction of a sterile fly facility.

“Farmers and ranchers need assurance that their needs will be met, as this pest has not been on the mainland U.S. in many decades.

“We ask leaders in Washington to take this animal health threat seriously and immediately pass this legislation to protect our country.”