U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith has issued a call for urgent action to address the threat of New World Screwworm, a parasite that poses risks to U.S. livestock and wildlife. In an op-ed published by the Washington Examiner, Hyde-Smith described her experience as both a cattle producer and former Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce, highlighting the impact animal disease outbreaks can have on agriculture.
She noted that screwworm was eradicated in the United States in 1966 but warned that without coordination among federal, state, and congressional stakeholders, there is a risk of the pest spreading from Central America and Mexico into the U.S.
“I applaud Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and the Trump administration for moving quickly to develop a strategy that maximizes our readiness to stop this pest from spreading north. The Department of Agriculture is wisely turning to the sterile fly technique, a proven method used in past outbreaks. However, while sterile fly facilities are being built, there are other steps we can take now to promote a clear, coordinated, and practical strategy that works for livestock producers,” Hyde-Smith said.
She pointed out recent legislative efforts: “As part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Congress reauthorized and increased funding for the ‘three-legged stool’ animal health programs: the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, the National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program, and the National Animal Vaccine and Veterinary Countermeasures Bank.”
Hyde-Smith emphasized these programs’ role in monitoring diseases such as highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry and dairy cattle as well as chronic wasting disease in deer. She argued that expanded research capacity will be essential for managing new threats like NWS.
“Congress must build on this progress as it considers a so-called ‘skinny’ Farm Bill by expanding research, testing capacity, and response strategies. We should also engage the private sector, the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and land-grant universities to help lead the way,” she wrote.
The senator also called for strong support for state departments of agriculture: “State departments of agriculture will also require critical federal support. These agencies are on the front lines of outbreak response and are key in informing national disease outbreak strategies. Many of these departments manage NAHLN labs, which provide early disease detection and accurate diagnostics. These labs also monitor wildlife, offering essential insight into how diseases move through ecosystems and affect agriculture and outdoor recreation.”
She added that trust between producers and state leaders is important during emergency responses: “Close federal coordination with state agriculture departments is also critical to ensure producers are well informed and willing to support eradication recommendations. As a former agriculture commissioner, I know producers trust their state leaders. This trust is key to any successful response, especially because we don’t know if livestock operations might be forced to deal with control zones and other emergency measures.”
Hyde-Smith stressed bipartisan cooperation on animal health issues: “Animal health should be a bipartisan issue, and I believe it will be. The Senate must continue confirming the president’s nominees to USDA, including Dudley Hoskins as undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. Hoskins is an experienced and capable leader for this role, and his confirmation should not be delayed. He’ll play a key role in a coordinated national response to NWS and other disease outbreaks.”
She expressed support for new legislation: “I also believe Congress should consider the Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation I support to help ensure the USDA has the tools to stop the NWS.” She highlighted her work with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) as co-chairman of the Senate Veterinary Medicine Caucus on issues facing veterinary professionals across rural America.
Hyde-Smith concluded with an appeal for preparedness: “The return of the screwworm is more than a serious threat. It is also a test of our readiness. We’ve beaten it before, and we can do it again, but only if the USDA, Congress, and our state partners act quickly, work together, and stay focused on the near and long-term needs to beat the parasites that threaten a vital agricultural sector.
This is our wake-up call. Let’s answer it.”
