Congress considers bill to force USDA-Interior coordination on screwworm threat

A House subcommittee heard testimony Tuesday on legislation that would require the federal government to formally coordinate its screwworm response across two agencies that currently operate on separate tracks.

The SAFE Cattle Act would direct the secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to sign a memorandum of understanding within 180 days of enactment, establishing joint surveillance, eradication protocols, and annual reporting to Congress. A 1976 Texas outbreak caused an estimated $732 million in direct livestock losses.

Jared Blankenship, Texas Farm Bureau State Director for District 1, testified in support. "The bill recognizes that USDA leads animal health efforts, while the Department of Interior manages wildlife and federal lands that can play an important role in prevention and eradication activities," Blankenship said. "By bringing these agencies together under a formal agreement, the SAFE Cattle Act strengthens joint surveillance, supports coordinated eradication strategies, and improves engagement with state animal health and wildlife officials."

Blankenship said the sterile fly technique remains the most effective tool. "We know the game plan: ramp up sterile fly production," he said. He added that Mexico's cooperation is essential. "We need cooperation with Mexico. We need transparency with Mexico. We need cooperation with Mexico."

Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said the monitoring programs that could have stopped the pest at the border were dismantled before it crossed. "The fundamental programs that help to support monitoring and to stop the screwworm in the very beginning were gutted," Stansbury said, "and, what they were unable to ultimately stop it from crossing the border."

Blankenship argued that wildlife surveillance is a central challenge the bill addresses. "I can control my livestock. I can control transportation. I can control the means of prevention, etc. Wildlife I cannot control. We got to have greater surveillance to be able to utilize sterile fly technique that encompasses both wildlife and livestock."

The measure awaits further action by the full House Committee on Natural Resources.