With the threat of New World Screwworm on the horizon, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association is taking proactive steps to prepare the state’s livestock industry. A coordinated meeting and workshop have been planned to ensure the state is fully equipped to respond quickly and effectively if the parasite is detected.
We sat down with Erin Beasley, Executive Vice President of Alabama Cattlemen’s, to learn more about the event and what it means for cattle producers in the region.
“Well, as the industry prepares for what we have going on with the New World Screwworm, Alabama certainly wants to be prepared for that in every way we can.”
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, along with State Veterinarian Tony Frazier and Associate State Veterinarian Dr. Misty Edmondson, will play key roles in the workshop.
“We are participating in a workshop hosting it here at the Cattlemen’s Building in conjunction with the Alabama Department of Ag and Industries, our State Veterinarian, Tony Frazier, along with our Associate State Veterinarian, Dr. Misty Edmondson.”
Beasley emphasized the importance of a unified message and coordinated response.
“We’ve been meeting along the way certainly as things continue to progress with the screw worm, but decided it was time that we come together with a lot of partnering organizations, talk about the response plan, talk about how we want to handle this as a state.”
Clear communication and confidence are essential if an outbreak were to occur. “Very important to us that the industry maintains very concise and, we all say the same thing when it does hit, that we are keeping the confidence amongst our consumer base that loves to eat beef.”
Beasley added: “We want our producers to feel like they have every resource available to them and that we are saying things on behalf of the industry that’s going to be suitable for when the screwworm, if and when it does get to the United States.”
The meeting will include stakeholders from Extension, Department of Public Health, Alpha, and other partners. “Be a good time for us to review everything and come out of it ready and prepared should the crisis get here.”
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Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet. Alabama Cattlemen’s Hosts Proactive Meeting to Discuss NWS Response
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