Press ReleaseBipartisan2026-06-18

Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Bipartisan Solution to Protect America’s Herds From New World Screwworm

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This press release from Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) was published on 2026-06-18 and titled "Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Bipartisan Solution to Protect America’s Herds From New World Screwworm".

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Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Bipartisan Solution to Protect America’s Herds From New World Screwworm

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 18, 2026 — following confirmed cases of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Texas and New Mexico — U.S. Representatives Leger Fernández and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Protecting America’s Herds Act , an innovative, bipartisan solution to combat the spread of the parasite, herd loss, and a jump in beef prices. The bill — which has 13 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Leger Fernández — helps ranchers fight NWS by funding local experts who can train inspectors, inspect livestock, educate producers, and provide the hands-on support needed to catch outbreaks early and stop them from spreading. The bill has been endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, the Public Lands Council, and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. “The first confirmed case of New World screwworm in New Mexico is a reminder that we cannot take our agricultural security for granted. Ranchers, producers, veterinarians, and agricultural experts have been warning about this threat for months and calling for stronger preparation before it reached our communities,” said Leger Fernández . “Unfortunately, the federal response did not match the urgency of the moment. Now that screwworm has arrived, we have a responsibility to step up and give our producers the tools they need to protect their herds. The Protecting America’s Herds Act will help provide the training, technical assistance, and local support needed to identify outbreaks early, respond quickly, and limit the damage to livestock, rural economies, and the families who depend on them.” “For New Mexicans, the New World screwworm is not a distant problem. It's here, right in our backyard. That's why I'm raising the alarm in Congress and leading a bipartisan effort to make sure lawmakers understand this isn't just a New Mexico or Southwest issue — it's a national threat to our food supply, our ranchers, and American families — and we need to respond now,” said Vasquez . “Our ranchers have already been hit by years of drought, rising input costs, and record-low cattle herds. The last thing we need is a flesh-eating parasite threatening their herds and driving up beef prices for American families. That's why I'm leading this bill and calling on USDA to ramp up staffing, speed the completion of the sterile fly production facility, and give producers the resources they need to detect and stop this outbreak before it gets worse.” The NWS was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, meaning many producers today have never encountered the pest. This bill provides the essential training and support they need to prevent the outbreak from spiraling into a crisis through early detection and rapid response efforts. Specifically, the bill would equip the Cooperative Extension System to: Train personnel and producers on New World screwworm identification, treatment, management, prevention, and reporting through workshops, direct technical assistance, field demonstrations, and outreach campaigns Allow Extension agents to act as livestock inspectors and deputize them to train and hire additional livestock inspectors Enhance coordination with USDA APHIS, veterinarians, state animal health officials, and Tribal agricultural programs Prioritize funding for states and Tribal communities at elevated risk of NWS introduction or spread Leger Fernández joined Vasquez to unveil his bill at a briefing and press conference they convened in Albuquerque today with agriculture and livestock experts from across New Mexico, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition to introducing this new bipartisan solution, the representatives called on the USDA to expedite the completion of the sterile fly production facility in Texas — a vital project that he requested a status update on from Secretary Rollins back in mid-April ahead of the peak summer outbreak season. During the briefing, livestock officials also noted they do not expect the NWS outbreak to materially impact beef prices and flagged for consumers that American beef products remain safe for consumption. State and federal experts who attended today’s briefing and shared updates, insights, and recommendations included: New Mexico Department of Agriculture Les Owen, Deputy Secretary New Mexico Livestock Board Belinda Garland, Executive Director Samantha Holeck, State Veterinarian Dairy Producers of New Mexico Beverly Idsinga, Executive Director New Mexico State University - Extension Office Tom Dean, Department Head for Cooperative Extension Service New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Stewart Liley, Chief of Wildlife Management New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Dr. Tom Paterson, President New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Larry Reagan, President U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Dr. Sara Ahola, New World Screwworm National Incident Coordinator Cosponsors of the Protecting America's He

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Rep. Leger Fernández Introduces Bipartisan Solution to Protect America’s Herds From New World Screwworm WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 18, 2026 — following confirmed cases of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Texas and New Mexico — U.S. Representatives Leger Fernández and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) introduced the Protecting America’s Herds Act , an innovative, bipartisan solution to combat the spread of the parasite, herd loss, and a jump in beef prices. The bill — which has 13 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, including Rep. Leger Fernández — helps ranchers fight NWS by funding local experts who can train inspectors, inspect livestock, educate producers, and provide the hands-on support needed to catch outbreaks early and stop them from spreading. The bill has been endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, New Mexico State University, the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association, the Public Lands Council, and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. “The first confirmed case of New World screwworm in New Mexico is a reminder that we cannot take our agricultural security for granted. Ranchers, producers, veterinarians, and agricultural experts have been warning about this threat for months and calling for stronger preparation before it reached our communities,” said Leger Fernández . “Unfortunately, the federal response did not match the urgency of the moment. Now that screwworm has arrived, we have a responsibility to step up and give our producers the tools they need to protect their herds. The Protecting America’s Herds Act will help provide the training, technical assistance, and local support needed to identify outbreaks early, respond quickly, and limit the damage to livestock, rural economies, and the families who depend on them.” “For New Mexicans, the New World screwworm is not a distant problem. It's here, right in our backyard. That's why I'm raising the alarm in Congress and leading a bipartisan effort to make sure lawmakers understand this isn't just a New Mexico or Southwest issue — it's a national threat to our food supply, our ranchers, and American families — and we need to respond now,” said Vasquez . “Our ranchers have already been hit by years of drought, rising input costs, and record-low cattle herds. The last thing we need is a flesh-eating parasite threatening their herds and driving up beef prices for American families. That's why I'm leading this bill and calling on USDA to ramp up staffing, speed the completion of the sterile fly production facility, and give producers the resources they need to detect and stop this outbreak before it gets worse.” The NWS was eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, meaning many producers today have never encountered the pest. This bill provides the essential training and support they need to prevent the outbreak from spiraling into a crisis through early detection and rapid response efforts. Specifically, the bill would equip the Cooperative Extension System to: Train personnel and producers on New World screwworm identification, treatment, management, prevention, and reporting through workshops, direct technical assistance, field demonstrations, and outreach campaigns Allow Extension agents to act as livestock inspectors and deputize them to train and hire additional livestock inspectors Enhance coordination with USDA APHIS, veterinarians, state animal health officials, and Tribal agricultural programs Prioritize funding for states and Tribal communities at elevated risk of NWS introduction or spread Leger Fernández joined Vasquez to unveil his bill at a briefing and press conference they convened in Albuquerque today with agriculture and livestock experts from across New Mexico, as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In addition to introducing this new bipartisan solution, the representatives called on the USDA to expedite the completion of the sterile fly production facility in Texas — a vital project that he requested a status update on from Secretary Rollins back in mid-April ahead of the peak summer outbreak season. During the briefing, livestock officials also noted they do not expect the NWS outbreak to materially impact beef prices and flagged for consumers that American beef products remain safe for consumption. State and federal experts who attended today’s briefing and shared updates, insights, and recommendations included: New Mexico Department of Agriculture Les Owen, Deputy Secretary New Mexico Livestock Board Belinda Garland, Executive Director Samantha Holeck, State Veterinarian Dairy Producers of New Mexico Beverly Idsinga, Executive Director New Mexico State University - Extension Office Tom Dean, Department Head for Cooperative Extension Service New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Stewart Liley, Chief of Wildlife Management New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association Dr. Tom Paterson, President New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau Larry Reagan, President U.S. Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Dr. Sara Ahola, New World Screwworm National Incident Coordinator Cosponsors of the Protecting America's He