This bill mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies to combat agricultural threats, supported by mandatory reporting and funding.
Ernest "Tony" Gonzales
Representative
TX-23
The STOP Screwworms Act mandates the establishment of facilities to rear and release sterile New World screwworm flies in high-risk areas to combat infestations. The Secretary of Agriculture must build these modular facilities within 180 days of enactment and provide annual public reports on the threat and control efforts. The bill authorizes up to $300 million to fund these necessary actions.
Congress Authorizes $300 Million for New Fly Factories to Protect US Livestock
The newly proposed Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms Act, or the STOP Screwworms Act, is focused on pest control—specifically, tackling the New World screwworm fly. This bill mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and run facilities designed to raise these flies, but with a twist: they’ll be sterile. The goal is to release these sterile flies into at-risk areas to disrupt the screwworm’s reproductive cycle, a proven method for pest eradication. The Secretary has a tight deadline, needing to start construction on these facilities within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
The $300 Million Bug Battle Fund
To make this happen, the bill authorizes Congress to appropriate up to $300,000,000. That’s a significant chunk of change dedicated solely to stopping this single pest. For taxpayers, this is the cost of protecting the massive U.S. livestock industry. Importantly, the bill specifies that this funding doesn't expire, meaning the money remains available until it is fully spent on the program. This ensures the program has the necessary financial runway to see the eradication effort through, which is crucial for long-term agricultural defense.
Where the Fly Factories Go
Section 2 dictates that these specialized, modular rearing facilities must be built in “eligible areas.” An area is eligible if the Secretary determines it’s at high risk of infestation based on confirmed sightings and migration patterns. This is where the policy gets real for local communities. While the goal is protection, building a new federal facility—even a modular one—will require land acquisition and could impact local infrastructure. The bill gives the Secretary the power to decide where these facilities land, which could be a point of friction if the chosen location displaces existing entities or affects local planning.
Protection for Producers and Annual Check-Ups
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are livestock producers and the entire agricultural sector. The New World screwworm fly is a serious threat; its larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, causing massive economic losses if an outbreak occurs. This bill provides a dedicated, federally funded shield against that risk. To ensure accountability, the Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress and post it publicly online. This report must detail the current threat level, the progress of the facility construction, and the effectiveness of the sterile fly release efforts. This reporting requirement ensures that the public and industry stakeholders can track how the $300 million is being spent and whether the bug battle is actually being won.