Texas Gov Greg Abbott points catastrophe declaration over screwworm menace

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide catastrophe declaration on Thursday to forestall the potential unfold of the New World screwworm fly into the Lone Star State, as he seeks to raised shield livestock and wildlife.

The governor's declaration permits the Texas New World Screwworm Response Group to make use of all state authorities prevention and response sources to forestall the unfold of the parasite into Texas.

The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico towards the border it shares with the U.S.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide catastrophe declaration to forestall the potential unfold of the New World screwworm fly into the Lone Star State. (Brandon Bell/Getty Photographs)

"Though the New World screwworm fly is just not but current in Texas or the U.S., its northward unfold from Mexico towards the U.S. southern border poses a critical menace to Texas' livestock business and wildlife," Abbott mentioned in a press release.

"State legislation authorizes me to behave to forestall a menace of infestation that would trigger extreme injury to Texas property, and I can't look forward to such hurt to succeed in our livestock and wildlife," he continued.

Together with his statewide catastrophe declaration, the governor mentioned the Texas New World Screwworm Response Group "can absolutely make the most of all state authorities prevention and response sources to forestall the re-emergence of this harmful parasite."

The New World screwworm fly is spreading north from Mexico towards the border it shares with the U.S. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Photographs)

Texas officials are ready to completely eradicate the pest if want be, the governor mentioned.

Abbott has taken preemptive motion in opposition to the New World screwworm menace by directing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division and the Texas Animal Well being Fee to determine a joint Texas New World Screwworm Response Group.

The governor additionally highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Division of Agriculture to create a brand new $750 million home sterile New World Screwworm manufacturing facility close to Edinburg, Texas.

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The governor highlighted a partnership with the U.S. Division of Agriculture to create a brand new $750 million home sterile New World Screwworm manufacturing facility close to Edinburg, Texas. (David Ake/Getty Photographs)

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The Division of Agriculture mentioned in August that the New World screwworm is a "devastating pest."

"When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a residing animal, they trigger critical, usually lethal injury to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, often birds and, in uncommon circumstances, individuals. It isn't solely a menace to our ranching group, however it's a menace to our meals provide and our nationwide safety," the division mentioned on the time.