U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sharply criticized Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Monday, calling his suggested approach to the New World screwworm outbreak dangerous and unserious.
Rollins made the remarks during a briefing at the Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville as federal and state officials confirmed additional cases of the flesh-eating parasite. Miller had previously suggested that ranchers facing infections should treat animals themselves without reporting to authorities in order to avoid quarantines and business disruptions.
The dispute comes as the U.S. grapples with its first domestic outbreak of New World screwworm in nearly 60 years. Since June 3, officials have confirmed five cases: multiple in Texas calves and a goat, plus one in a dog reclassified to New Mexico. The initial detection was in a young calf in Zavala County near the Mexico border.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in coordination with the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), has implemented quarantines, movement restrictions, enhanced surveillance, and releases of sterile flies. No human cases have been reported, and officials say the nation’s food supply remains safe. However, unchecked spread could devastate livestock, wildlife, and the state’s multi-billion-dollar cattle industry through severe wounds, infections, and production losses.
Rollins emphasized a science-based, coordinated federal-state response relying on proven eradication methods used successfully in the 1960s. Miller has pushed for faster deployment of additional tools, including targeted baits, arguing the current strategy moves too slowly.
The public disagreement highlights tensions in managing a serious agricultural threat that originated in Central America and advanced through Mexico. Officials continue urging immediate reporting of suspicious wounds containing maggots to veterinarians or authorities.
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