In a proactive move to safeguard Texas’s agriculture and wildlife, Governor Greg Abbott declared a statewide disaster on Thursday. This action is aimed at thwarting the advance of the New World screwworm fly, a pest currently migrating northward from Mexico. This declaration is designed to fortify Texas’s defenses and protect its valuable livestock and natural ecosystems.

By invoking this disaster declaration, Governor Abbott has empowered the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team to fully utilize state resources. This measure is intended to prevent the screwworm fly, known for its destructive potential, from establishing a foothold in Texas.

The New World screwworm fly, while not yet present in Texas or the broader United States, poses a significant risk due to its trajectory towards the southern U.S. border. The governor’s decisive action underscores the potential threat to the state’s livestock industry and wildlife, crucial components of Texas’s economy and natural heritage.

In his statement, Abbott emphasized the importance of early intervention, noting, “State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife.” His commitment reflects a determination to protect the state from the potential economic and environmental impacts of this invasive species.

“Although the New World screwworm fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas’ livestock industry and wildlife,” Abbott said in a statement.

“State law authorizes me to act to prevent a threat of infestation that could cause severe damage to Texas property, and I will not wait for such harm to reach our livestock and wildlife,” he continued.

With his statewide disaster declaration, the governor said the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team “can fully utilize all state government prevention and response resources to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite.”

The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico toward the border it shares with the U.S. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Texas officials are prepared to fully eradicate the pest if need be, the governor said.

Abbott has taken preemptive action against the New World screwworm threat by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to establish a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Team.

The governor also highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a new $750 million domestic sterile New World Screwworm production facility near Edinburg, Texas.

The governor highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to create a new $750 million domestic sterile New World Screwworm production facility near Edinburg, Texas. (David Ake/Getty Images)

The Department of Agriculture said in August that the New World screwworm is a “devastating pest.”

“When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds and, in rare cases, people. It is not only a threat to our ranching community, but it is a threat to our food supply and our national security,” the department said at the time.