Texas – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller responded on April 24, 2026, to Florida’s emergency rule restricting the import of warm-blooded animals from designated South Texas counties due to concerns over the New World screwworm threat.
Florida’s rule targets counties the state has labeled “high risk” because of their proximity to recent New World screwworm detections in Mexico within 125 miles of the U.S. border. The emergency measure imposes temporary restrictions on livestock and other animals entering the state from six South Texas counties: Zapata, Jim Hogg, Starr, Hidalgo, Webb, and Brooks.
Commissioner Miller said Florida’s decision reflects growing concern over the spread of the parasite and said the threat is not isolated or distant. He noted that Florida is acting to protect its livestock industry, referencing the state’s experience as a focal point during a previous outbreak.
Miller also pointed to broader agricultural impacts tied to ongoing restrictions on cattle movement from Mexico, saying supply chains and meatpacking capacity in Texas are being affected and contributing to rising costs for consumers.
He added that federal efforts, including work toward establishing a sterile fly production facility and coordination with Mexico, are underway, but emphasized the need for additional immediate tools to address the threat.
The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly whose larvae can infest warm-blooded animals, causing serious and potentially fatal injuries if untreated. Federal and state agriculture agencies continue monitoring and response efforts as part of containment strategies.
