Athens Daily Review

Breaking News: Commissioner Sid Miller responded to the first suspected case of New World screwworm (NWS) in Texas, criticizing the United States Department of Agriculture for what he called a slow, bureaucratic, and incomplete response that allowed the pest to advance unchecked through Mexico and reach American soil.

"For months, the screwworm has advanced rapidly through Mexico in spite of the USDA’s existing gameplan,” Miller said. “Even though billions of sterile flies have been dispersed by USDA, the screwworm has still advanced over 1100 miles from southern Mexico to Texas, and USDA has missed an important component. Now that it appears the first screwworm has arrived in Texas, the consequences of that decision are now staring us in the face."

As a result, Commissioner Miller is now urging President Trump to direct USDA to immediately deploy the Screwworm Adult Suppression System (SWASS), a proven technology developed by USDA scientists and successfully used during previous eradication campaigns. SWASS uses attractants, bait, and targeted, EPA-approved insecticides to dramatically reduce adult screwworm populations, allowing sterile fly releases to finish the job. For more than a year, the Texas Department of Agriculture has and will continue to stand ready to fast-track approval of the use of SWASS in Texas.

“SWASS was developed by USDA, tested by USDA, and successfully deployed by USDA to eradicate screwworm in Mexico and Texas when it last appeared. USDA already owns the playbook; the only question is whether USDA will use it before this situation gets worse," Miller said.

Read the full statement from Commissioner Miller here: https://texasagriculture.gov/News-Events/Article/11929/Commissioner-Miller-First-Suspected-New-World-Screwworm-Case-in-Texas-Demands-U

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