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Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule late last week that put temporary restrictions on the importation of animals from five counties in South Texas. The movement restrictions are being put in place now that the latest detections of New World Screwworm are within 125 miles of the border. These restrictions require all animals imported into Florida that originate from one of these counties to undergo increased veterinary screenings and treatments.
Commissioner Simpson said, “Today we are taking aggressive action to further protect Florida and our agricultural producers from the real threat of the New World Screwworm. We know how costly and dangerous this pest can be to our agricultural industry if it takes hold, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect our state. We’re also calling on Florida’s producers, veterinarians, and animal health professionals to remain aware and act quickly if they suspect something unusual.”
The emergency rule currently applies to Texas counties including Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Hidalgo, Webb, and Brooks. The emergency restrictions include that all warm-blooded animals originating from the restricted counties must be accompanied by an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, have been inspected and found free of contagious and infectious disease and pests including NWS, and the OCVI must include the statement, “All animals listed on the OCVI have been inspected and are free from screwworm larvae infestation,” and the OCVI is only valid for 7 days from date of inspection.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.