GT Thompson: NWS Detection In Texas Not What Cattle Producers Wanted
Brownfield
House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson says Wednesday’s detection of New World screwworm in southern Texas is not what the cattle industry hoped to see.
“But we are prepared to fight this,” the chairman said. “Containing the spread through quarantine measures, sterile fly dispersals, and deploying treatment options to any animals that may be infected. And continuing to educate producers and consumers alike will be crucial.”
During a committee hearing with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins on Thursday, Thompson told the secretary there needs to be frank conversations about a return to normalcy at the southern border.
“The closure has results in a full stop of the cattle we traditionally import into the country,” Thompson said, “and it’s encouraged Mexico to build out their own feeding and processing infrastructures. Meaning they are benefiting from U.S. genetics while taking inventory away from domestic producers.”
All southern ports of entry remain closed to livestock trade from Mexico.
Secretary Rollins testified the agency is taking steps to prevent a widespread outbreak similar to what occurred in the 1960s.
“We are on it,” Rollins said. “We’ve invested almost a billion dollars since we came in the door last year to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
Rollins said she’ll be visiting the impacted area in La Pryor, Texas to oversee response operations.