SCREWWORMS: Harder Announces New Bill to Protect Valley Livestock from Flesh-Eating Maggots
First outbreak of New World Screwworm flies in decades discovered in Texas last month, already spread to New Mexico
Harder’s bill invests in early detection and prevention to protect agriculture communities and stop screwworms from spreading
STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new bipartisan legislation to protect Valley livestock and agriculture communities from a growing outbreak of flesh-eating insects. Harder’s Protecting America’s Herds Act invests in early detection and prevention of New World Screwworm flies to control the outbreak and ultimately keep these parasites out of the Valley.
Parasitic swarms just broke into the U.S., and they’re headed for the Valley:
- Screwworm flies have been eradicated in the U.S. since the 1960s, but just last month new cases were detected in Texas, and the outbreak has already spread to New Mexico.
- These parasites lay eggs in open wounds of livestock, which hatch into flesh-eating maggots that can kill animals and even infect humans.
- The spreading outbreak also threatens to drive up beef prices, which have already climbed over a dollar per pound since 2025 before the outbreak even began.
“These parasitic swarms kill livestock, drive up beef prices, and can even infect people - we have to stop this outbreak before it spreads even more,” said Rep. Harder. “My bill jumpstarts detection and prevention efforts by giving local agriculture communities the resources and support they need to keep Valley livestock healthy. Passing this bill ASAP should be a no-brainer.”
How Harder’s bipartisan bill gets the screwworm outbreak under control:
- Early Detection and Prevention– Deploys inspectors and trains producers on identification, treatment, prevention, and case reporting.
- Priority Risk Funding– Fast-tracks funding to the states and communities at the highest risk of screwworm introduction or spread.
- Interagency Coordination – Enhanced coordination with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, veterinarians, and state animal health officials.
The Protecting America’s Herds Act is endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Public Lands Council, and the American Sheep Industry.
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