Rep. Vasquez Presses USDA for Answers on New World Screwworm Preparedness as Summer Outbreak Season Approaches

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On April 13, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins demanding answers on the Administration's preparedness strategy for a New World Screwworm (NWS) outbreak as the warmer months approach. The letter also requested an update on the status of the sterile fly production and dispersal facilities in Texas. He was joined by six other members on the House Agriculture Committee. The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that infects and kills herds of cattle, causing massive economic losses for ranchers who are already operating on tight margins and rising beef prices around the country for consumers.

"When extreme weather and disease shrink our U.S. cattle herds, ranchers struggle and American consumers feel the pain at the grocery store with rising beef prices," said Vasquez. "Instead of undermining U.S. ranchers by importing foreign beef from Argentina, the USDA should be focused on doing everything it can to improve, strengthen, and protect our domestic cattle herds - including taking steps to prevent outbreaks of the New World Screwworm. It is critical that the Administration continue to work with Congress and industry to ensure that everyone is on the same page to effectively mitigate any widespread outbreak of NWS in the U.S. before it devastates American ranchers."

The letter requests a commitment from the USDA to continue using sound science and research to inform any decisions on opening the border to cattle trade, information on how NWS prevention funds will be spent, and an update on the operating status of technology aimed at limiting NWS outbreaks.

Rep. Vasquez is an ardent supporter of New Mexico's ranchers and cattle growers.

• Last year, he sounded the alarm on NWS by calling on the USDA to take immediate steps to protect ranchers while balancing the interests of New Mexico's small businesses.
• He was also integral in securing the necessary funding to build a sterile fly facility through the STOP Screwworms Act, legislation that required the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a New World Screwworm fly rearing facility to combat the spread of Screwworms.
• On March 3, 2026, Rep. Vasquez secured unanimous, bipartisan support in the House Agriculture Committee for his Farm Bill amendment condemning the Administration's push to prioritize Argentinian beef imports at the expense of our American cattle ranchers.
• In 2024, Vasquez adamantly opposed the Biden administration's push to import beef from Paraguay. No matter the political party, Rep. Vasquez is fully committed to fighting for American ranchers.

The full text of the Congressman's letter sent today can be read below:

Secretary Rollins:

We write to you to request a briefing for members of the House Agriculture Committee on the status of the Department's efforts against New World Screwworm (NWS) and an update on the status of the sterile fly production and dispersal facilities in Texas. We appreciate the work that the administration has done so far to prevent the spread of NWS and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has used proven science and relied upon nonpartisan, career civil servants to inform its decisions.

Over the past few months, there have been numerous cases of NWS close to the U.S.-Mexico border. Cases within the U.S. are more likely during the warmer spring months. Cattle producers along the southern border are particularly vulnerable to NWS. Any outbreak in the U.S. would be devastating to livestock producers and push cattlemen and women near the border to liquidate their herds, which would compound the herd contraction that we've seen across the country.

Shrinking U.S. cattle herds have reduced the domestic beef supply, contributing to higher grocery prices and underscoring the need to strengthen American cattle production. Instead of undermining U.S. ranchers by importing foreign beef, USDA must do everything it can to improve, strengthen, and protect domestic herds. It is critical that the administration continue to work with Congress and industry to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that we can effectively collaborate to mitigate any widespread outbreak of NWS in the U.S.

As a component of the briefing, we would like answers to the following questions:

• What data and information are you using to assess if and when to reopen the U.S.-Mexico border to cattle trade? Do you commit to continue using sound science and research to inform any decisions on opening the border?
• If a case of NWS is detected within the United States,
• What impact will that have on how foreign countries view American beef, and
• How will you work with cattle producers in the area to prevent further spread?
• Will recent changes in APHIS leadership affect the approach that USDA is taking towards NWS?
• Will any reorganization plan within USDA impact APHIS staff or change the way that state diagnostic laboratories coordinate with USDA?
• How is USDA distributing the $100 million that was allocated for the NWS Grand Challenge? And what criteria is USDA using to determine how that money should be spent?
• Since the opening of the dispersal facility, please provide Congress with a status update on the operation status. In addition, please provide an update on the production side of the facility.

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