July 6, 2026
LA CROSSE, Wis. – On June 29, Senator Brad Pfaff (D-Onalaska) sent a letter to USDA Secretary Brook Rollins encouraging collaboration with all state departments of agriculture and animal health to ensure a robust response that prevents any further spread of New World Screwworm (NWS).
The letter can be viewed here. A short excerpt follows:
“A nationwide effort is necessary to quickly and safely get the disease under control. Wisconsin farmers and ranchers are already facing damaging tariffs, extremely expensive fertilizer costs, and anticompetitive market practices that are dwindling their already razor-thin margins. Further losses from herd infection or limited trade markets should be mitigated as quickly as possible so as to not cause further harm.
This recent outbreak also serves as an important reminder that divestment in programs that help prevent animal disease, including in neighboring countries, creates biosecurity and food security risks here in the United States. Food security is national security, and animal health is a key factor in ensuring a robust domestic food supply. Moving forward, prevention efforts should be re-prioritized and adequately funded.”
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