Congressman Don Davis Co-Leads Bipartisan SAFE CATTLE Act to Protect Agriculture and Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Don Davis (NC-01), Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Harriet Hageman (WY-At Large), and Darren Soto (FL-10)introduced H.R. 7466, the Safeguarding America's Food Economy and Controlling Agricultural Threats to Livestock and Enterprises Act, or SAFE CATTLE Act. This bill will establish a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to coordinate activities to prevent, control, and eradicate New World screwworm in wildlife species on federal lands.

"Our producers and ranchers need proactive monitoring and interagency coordination to stop the screwworm before it threatens livestock, our food supply, and local economies," said Congressman Don Davis. "We must prevent the rapid spread and devastation caused by the New World screwworm."

"The SAFE CATTLE Act is a critical step in fortifying the Federal government's response against the devastating threat of the New World screwworm, which puts over $11 billion in economic value from Texas' livestock and wildlife industries at immediate risk," said Congressman Ronny Jackson. "By ensuring the USDA and DOI are operating in lockstep, we are building on the proactive investments of the Trump administration to combat this parasite and prevent its spread before it destroys our rural communities."

"The import of New World screwworm is a serious threat to America's livestock, wildlife, and food supply, and we cannot afford a fragmented federal response," said Congresswoman Harriet Hageman. "The SAFE CATTLE Act requires real coordination between the Departments of Agriculture and of the Interior, so outbreaks are detected early, contained quickly, and stopped before they devastate producers and rural communities. This bill protects our wildlife and the agricultural backbone of this country before a crisis hits."

"I'm proud to co-sponsor the SAFE CATTLE Act to strengthen coordination between the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior to prevent, control, and ultimately eradicate the New World screwworm on our federal lands," said Congressman Darren Soto. "Osceola County is home to one of the largest cattle herd in the country. Protecting wildlife and non-livestock species from this destructive parasite is critical to preserving biodiversity, safeguarding ecosystems, and preventing broader economic and agricultural harm."

Bill text can be found here.