NCBA Responds to USDA’s $100 Million New World Screw Worm Initiative
Courtesy of USDA/APHIS
Last week’s announcement by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins marked a significant step in the fight against the New World Screwworm, a pest that poses a serious threat to U.S. livestock. The USDA’s expanded strategy includes constructing a new sterile fly production facility and investing in advanced sterilization technologies. To get the cattle industry’s perspective, we spoke with Collin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).
“Yeah, we just walked out of the room after this announcement, and we are very pleased with the leadership being shown by the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, and of course President Trump and his entire administration, because they are moving forward with several significant advancements in our preparedness against the New World Screw Worm. We’ve been waiting for this announcement to actually see a facility begin construction, and now we have that.”
The USDA will continue to rely on proven methods, including the use of sterile flies, while also pushing for innovation.
“You know, the facility that she announced is going to rely upon what has been a tried and true technology, and that is the sterile flies. But we also know that a facility of that size is probably going to take several years to build. She had talked about it being a year-long process, more than likely it’s going to be a little bit longer.”
To accelerate innovation, the USDA is dedicating $100 million toward developing faster, more efficient technologies.
“So to be able to have $100 million to invest in new technology could get some of these new technologies to market sooner. Things such as modular systems, in order to produce these flies, new technologies, either in electron beam technology or in genetic engineering technology that could help sterilize these flies just a little bit quicker. All of those are things we believe will qualify for this $100 million investment.”
Woodall praised the USDA’s two-pronged approach.
“And so the fact that she is looking at both the permanent facility and new technology, we think it’s very helpful, because we need flies and new technology being delivered to us today. And this $100 million will help with that.”
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.