AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today released the following statement after his Stop the Screwworms With Active Readiness and Mitigation (SWARM) Act passed the Senate Monday night as part of the government funding legislation. This bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to present details to Congress on the domestic readiness and response initiatives that it both plans to implement and is already executing to combat the New World screwworm.

“Agriculture and cattle communities in Texas deserve the best protection possible from the destructive New World screwworm, which is why I’m proud my legislation to require the USDA to give Congress a detailed strategy on our nation’s screwworm readiness and response plans has passed the Senate,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill will ensure the United States has implemented necessary safeguards to combat this pest and ensure the proper resources are available to stop the swarm.”

Background:

The Stop the Screwworms With Active Readiness and Mitigation (SWARM) Act requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress within 30 days detailing the government’s preparedness for potential New World screwworm outbreaks in the United States. The report must cover domestic readiness plans, including building production facilities and state and/or industry partnerships, sterile fly production technology and other eradication methods, and analysis of the advantages and challenges of domestic versus international sterile fly production.