U.S. Department of Agriculture

USDA funds Texas inspectors, research to fight New World screwworm

USA TODAY NETWORK

June 17, 2026, 6:56 p.m. ET

As the New World screwworm (NWS) threat continues to affect the nation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding several research projects and initiatives to help stop the parasitic fly from spreading.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Wednesday, June 17, the pre-award approval of a cooperative agreement with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services to help hire additional inspectors for a state agency.

“Texas will take every action necessary to safeguard our livestock producers and agricultural economy from the New World screwworm,” Abbott said in a statement. “This federal funding allows us to place more inspectors in the field and bolster our state response.”

The USDA reported 12 cases in the U.S. on Wednesday, June 17, with 10 active and one inactive in Texas.

LA PRYOR, TEXAS - JUNE 11: A United States Department of Agriculture employee holds sterile New World Screwworm pupae during a press conference where a crate of 80,000 sterile NWS pupae is installed at Chapparosa Ranch on June 11, 2026 in La Pryor, Texas. The first case of New World Screwworm infection, since its eradication from the country in 1966, was reported in Texas last week by the United States Department of Agriculture. Female NWS flies only mate once in their lifespan, so releasing sterile flies in the affected areas will help suppress their ability to reproduce, according to the USDA. The sterile pupae are dyed green to distinguish sterile from non-sterile NWS flies.

According to the governor's office, the funding would allow the Texas Animal Health Commission — the state agency leading the state's screwworm response — to hire 15 new term positions, including 10 field inspectors and specialists in emergency management and epidemiology.

The funding comes a day after the USDA announced $105 million in funding for 40 projects to bolster the nation’s defenses against New World screwworm.

USDA funds private, public research projects to combat screwworm threat

According to the USDA, the department launched the NWS Grand Challenge on Jan. 21 as part of Secretary Brooke Rollins' five-pronged plan to support producers’ success, protect the nation’s food supply and build long-term resilience against the screwworm.

"These projects represent the creativity, scientific rigor, and determination we need to reinforce our existing efforts, empower our producers, and safeguard American agriculture and our food supply," Rollins said in a statement. "We have beaten this pest before, and by leveraging innovative solutions and advancements in technology we will beat it again in record time."

LA PRYOR, TEXAS - JUNE 11: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins attends a press conference where a crate of 80,000 sterile New World Screwworm pupae is installed at Chapparosa Ranch on June 11, 2026 in La Pryor, Texas. The first case of New World Screwworm infection, since its eradication from the country in 1966, was reported in Texas last week by the United States Department of Agriculture. Female NWS flies only mate once in their lifespan, so releasing sterile flies in the affected areas will help suppress their ability to reproduce, according to the USDA.

Various universities, federal labs, companies and associations were awarded the funding for this initiative.

In addition to the 40 projects announced, USDA said it has already started work on two additional USDA-funded projects that are a part of the grand challenge:

Texas A&M AgriLife Research is assessing the feasibility, efficacy and operational readiness of electron beam (eBeam) technology as a non-radioactive alternative to cobalt-60 gamma irradiation for sterilizing NWS pupae in sterile insect technique programs.
The University of Florida is evaluating two U.S.-made X-ray irradiators to sterilize NWS pupae, using secondary screwworm as a surrogate.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at [email protected].

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