Texas Border Coalition: We want to be active partners in federal response to New World Screwworm

On behalf of the Texas Border Coalition, we write to you with urgency, respect and a sincere desire to serve as active partners in the federal response to the growing threat posed by the New World Screwworm (NWS).

Our members represent communities that sit on the front lines of this crisis. We live, work, ranch, and farm on some of the nation’s most productive farm and ranch land. We’re hearing daily from those who are at risk of losing animals, income, and their livelihoods to this parasite.

The reemergence and rapid spread of the NWS is one of the most serious threats to American livestock and agriculture in many years. We appreciate the initial actions taken by the United States Department of Agriculture to address this challenge, including the interagency and intergovernmental New World Screwworm Response Playbook. It is an incredible first step towards facing this threat. This document provides an invaluable framework for surveillance, animal movement management, and coordinated response operations.

As we all now know, this is no longer a distant or theoretical threat. The emergency is here, and the federal response must accelerate accordingly. While we appreciate the current efforts underway, there remains a significant gap between the scale and speed of the response currently being implemented and what is necessary to prevent devastating consequences for border communities, livestock producers, and the broader agricultural economy.

We would also like to express our appreciation for the Edinburg sterile fly production facility. This incredible investment is exactly the bold infrastructure project this crisis demands. As you said, we cannot, and should not, depend on other countries for the tools we need to push screwworm away from our borders. The ambitious initial production targets of 100 million sterile flies per week by November 2027 are exciting and critical to our efforts.

Alongside the investment to modernize the Metapa facility in Mexico and the ongoing Panama–United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm Infestation in Livestock, the long- term production architecture is starting to take shape.

However, we don’t have until November 2027. As you are aware, the NWS has crossed the border and been found in La Pryor, Texas. We no longer have time to prepare for this emergency, and it is critical that reacting to this threat is made a top priority.

We respectfully urge the Department to address the following gaps as quickly as possible:

• Host an exclusive call at the launch of a county-level communication channel, including local emergency management directors, in order to directly communicate USDA guidelines and response recommendations to those on the ground. Additionally, hosting a similar call for private business stakeholders to ensure they are updated on the status of the emergency and USDA’s response.
• Declare a federal agricultural emergency for affected border communities. That urgency should be formalized through a declaration that unlocks accelerated funding, procurement, and the full suite of federal emergency response authorities.
• Support education efforts. Engage the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to ensure that Customs and Border Protection agents are aware of this threat and are educated on what screwworm looks like so they are able to turn infected livestock away at the border.
• Surge production from other existing facilities. USDA must maximize sterile fly deployment from Mexico and Panama to ensure that fly production and release activities do not plateau while domestic capacity is under construction.
• Integrate border community elected officials into real-time situational awareness. We request a county-level communication channel that guarantees our ability to share accurate information with our ranchers and farmers.

Secretary Rollins, we believe that combating this threat and supporting the long-term well-being of border communities are complementary goals. Economically stable communities, where landowners feel their government has treated them fairly, and where local officials are genuine partners in federal efforts, are communities better positioned to support lasting security outcomes.

Please know that we stand ready to assist your department in any way possible and welcome the opportunity to meet with you or your designees at a mutually convenient time. We look forward to continued collaboration and appreciate your leadership during this critical moment.

Sincerely,

Chairwoman, Texas Border Coalition

Hudspeth County Judge Joanna MacKenzie

Vice Chair, Texas Border Coalition

Eddie Aldrete

Editor's Note: The above letter was sent by the Texas Border Coalition to The Honorable Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on June 5, 2026. Since then, TBC and Rollins have held zoom meetings. Hudspeth County Judge Joanna MacKenzie, chairwoman of the Texas Border Coalition, tells the Rio Grande Guardian that TBC and Secretary Rollins have had constructive dialogue on the New World Screwworm issue.

Editor's Note: This is the first in a four-part series on the current work of the Texas Border Coalition. Part Two will appear later this week.