Letter
Dear Representative Gonzales and Representative Cuellar,
On behalf of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and the Commissioners, Secretaries, and Directors of Agriculture from all 50 states and four U.S. territories, we write to express our strong support for H.R.3392, the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act.
New World screwworm poses an urgent and growing threat to American agriculture. Recent detections of this destructive pest in northern Mexico are cause for serious concern, particularly given its history of devastating impacts on the U.S. livestock industry. A domestic outbreak would have catastrophic consequences for U.S. producers and the safety of our national food supply.
The STOP Screwworms Act offers a proactive and strategic approach to safeguarding U.S. livestock. By directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a domestic sterile fly production facility and to evaluate the effectiveness of current containment and eradication strategies, this legislation would strengthen our national preparedness and enhance our ability to mitigate the threat before it reaches our borders. NASDA applauds this timely effort.
State departments of agriculture are central to animal health surveillance, outbreak response, and emergency preparedness. We strongly support the bill’s investment in the infrastructure necessary to protect livestock producers. Establishing a U.S.-based sterile fly facility will complement ongoing international efforts, reduce reliance on foreign production, and enable a more rapid, coordinated response to future screwworm outbreaks.
We commend your leadership on this critical issue and urge Congress to swiftly authorize and fund the STOP Screwworms Act. NASDA stands ready to support its passage and to work alongside our partners to prevent the re-establishment of this devastating pest.
Sincerely,
Ted McKinney
Chief Executive Officer
