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The Texas Animal Health Commission reported on Facebook last week that USDA APHIS announced another shift in the dispersal area for sterile flies in a precautionary effort in the fight against New World Screwworm from entering the U.S.
While there has been no detections of New World Screwworm in the United States, the Texas Animal Health Commission says that these dispersals are, “As a precautionary effort to stop the northern spread of NWS into the U.S., the added dispersal area, or polygon, will expand the biological border across more of South Texas along the international border with Mexico.”
The commission also highlights that, “The sterile insect technique (SIT) is a proven tool for fighting the spread of NWS in combination with producer management practices, efficient wound treatment, and diligent response tactics.”
Additionally, the comment period to the EPA for consideration and possible registration of NovoFly, has just closed with many livestock and agricultural groups urging their support of the technology.
Those entities that have submitted comments in support include: the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Entomological Society of America, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, The National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, Dairy Farmers of America, American Horse Council, as well as state associations and government entities.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.