USDA protects livestock producers against New World screwworm outbreaks
APHIS is using emergency funds to combat detections in areas of Panama and other areas that are critical to preventing the pest from spreading back into North America.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is using emergency funding to respond to the threats associated with growing outbreaks of New World screwworm. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack approved the transfer of $213.3 million from the Commodity Credit Corp. to APHIS to directly support emergency response efforts domestically and internationally to protect livestock industries and producers.
“Increasing our response efforts to ... New World screwworm outbreaks is critical to minimizing their potential impact on our nation’s agriculture and trade,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “This funding will enable us to swiftly prevent ... populations’ further spread before they become established and harder to eradicate.”