January 16, 2026

US pork organisation sends comments on USDA response plan for New World screwworm detection

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) in the United States submitted comments on the US Department of Agriculture's draft response plan for a New World screwworm detection in the country.

NPPC's feedback addressed areas of the response including movement controls and movements to slaughter, treatment, and physical examinations, among others.

NWS is a flesh-eating parasite from female flies that lay eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals, including pigs and people. According to USDA, animals that recently have given birth, suffered an injury, or had a surgical procedure such as tail docking or branding are most vulnerable. Even tick bites can attract NWS flies.

The disease has moved from South America through Central America and into Mexico over the past few years, with a case recently being identified in cattle a few hundred miles south of the US-Mexico border. It is endemic in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and some South American countries.

In May, the USDA closed the US southern border to imports of cattle from Mexico to prevent NWS from entering the US. USDA unveiled plans in August that included building a sterile fly production facility in south Texas, investing in new technologies to eradicate NWS, and increasing surveillance at US ports of entry.

NPPC has been working with USDA, FDA, the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, the Swine Health Information Center and the National Pork Board to understand knowledge gaps and opportunities to better prepare for this pest.

An outbreak of NWS in the US would occupy limited numbers of response personnel and resources in the face of other emerging and foreign disease threats, and could significantly impact business continuity for pork producers throughout the US.

- National Pork Producers Council