Press ReleaseNeutral2026-06-07

A flesh-eating pest threatens Trump’s beef price hopes

ImmigrationEnvironmentAgriculture

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This press release from Representative Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX) was published on 2026-06-07 and titled "A flesh-eating pest threatens Trump’s beef price hopes".

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A flesh-eating pest threatens Trump’s beef price hopes

A devastating parasite is threatening to upend President Donald Trump’s efforts to lower beef prices ahead of November’s midterms. The New World screwworm, which often kills untreated livestock, has been discovered in two calves near the Mexican border in south Texas in the past week. The pest’s reemergence in the U.S. is alarming agriculture officials, ranchers and beef industry leaders who have spent months attempting to prepare for its anticipated arrival as ground beef and steaks fetch record-high sums. Administration officials insist the screwworm’s return does not threaten the country’s food supply and is not a hazard to public health. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told POLITICO it is not clear how the screwworm will affect beef prices, which have already skyrocketed due to high demand and a decades-low cattle herd diminished by severe weather, industry consolidation and high operating costs. ... Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas) said on the House floor Thursday that the Trump administration’s cuts to staffing at USDA hurt preparedness efforts despite ranchers sounding the alarm about animal disease repercussions. “This is something that Texans have been worrying about and have been warning Washington about for nearly two years,” she said. “An outbreak today will be devastating to livestock producers and drive up already high costs for beef at the grocery stores that all Americans will see.” Beef producers have been experiencing a rare bright spot in an agriculture economy that’s been otherwise strained by trade uncertainty, high production costs and low commodity prices. ... View this article in Politico .

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A flesh-eating pest threatens Trump’s beef price hopes A devastating parasite is threatening to upend President Donald Trump’s efforts to lower beef prices ahead of November’s midterms. The New World screwworm, which often kills untreated livestock, has been discovered in two calves near the Mexican border in south Texas in the past week. The pest’s reemergence in the U.S. is alarming agriculture officials, ranchers and beef industry leaders who have spent months attempting to prepare for its anticipated arrival as ground beef and steaks fetch record-high sums. Administration officials insist the screwworm’s return does not threaten the country’s food supply and is not a hazard to public health. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told POLITICO it is not clear how the screwworm will affect beef prices, which have already skyrocketed due to high demand and a decades-low cattle herd diminished by severe weather, industry consolidation and high operating costs. ... Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas) said on the House floor Thursday that the Trump administration’s cuts to staffing at USDA hurt preparedness efforts despite ranchers sounding the alarm about animal disease repercussions. “This is something that Texans have been worrying about and have been warning Washington about for nearly two years,” she said. “An outbreak today will be devastating to livestock producers and drive up already high costs for beef at the grocery stores that all Americans will see.” Beef producers have been experiencing a rare bright spot in an agriculture economy that’s been otherwise strained by trade uncertainty, high production costs and low commodity prices. ... View this article in Politico .